Inches from hedge sparrow (5)
I believe the answer is:
edges
'inches' is the definition.
('edge' can be a synonym of 'inch')
'from hedge sparrow' is the wordplay.
'from' indicates a hidden word.
'EDGES' is hidden in the letters of 'hedge sparrow'.
(Other definitions for edges that I've seen before include "They're used for cutting" , "Boundaries of a surface" , "Bounds" , "Des, e.g. (anag.)" , "Fringes" .)