It's a Ferret Life

A FERRET lover is calling for like-minded people to spread the good word about the slinky creatures and join him in his favourite pastime.

And he says the hobby is an ideal way to get youngsters out from in front of the television.

Steve Wise, 42, a former cabinet maker from Cores End Road, Bourne End, is setting up a ferreting club so its members can go out into the countryside and help control the rabbit population.

His daughters Jeanette, 15, and Elizabeth, 14, have four ferrets Penny, Barb, Hectar and Billy. They even went ferreting on Christmas Day.

Steve said: "The trouble today is that not enough children are getting out. They are not getting fresh air into their lungs.

"As a parent and a ferreter I find this very difficult to understand. Ferreting is a great family day out."

Mr Wise hopes that more ferret-loving families, like his own, will get in touch with him and join his new club. The club will also aim to quash the animal's bad name.

He said: "It's about making people aware of the ferret. They are not a nasty animals."

To find out more about ferrets or to enquire about membership, call Steve Wise on 01628 532588

9:51am Saturday 28th January 2006