Fur flies as ferret champ is crowned

ON A HIGH: Catrina with her ferret Hobs

BUSINESSWOMEN were ferreting around for a fundraising idea - until they hit on a racing certainty!

Members of the Lancashire branch of The Lady Taverners helped raise cash for disabled children as three furry competitors were put to the test.

To cheers of encouragement, male ferret Hobs and females Kitty and Patch were passed down three six-foot long pieces of plastic tubing.

Kitty won the majority of the races at last night's event, held at the Three Fishes restaurant, Mitton, which raised around £2,000.

Among the guests were Sonia Kilby and her husband, Burnley FC chairman Barry, and Linda Hitman, co-owner of the Brockhall Village development.

Organiser Hilary Shepherd, who runs Maureen Cookson dress shop, George Street, Whalley, said: "We thought it would be good fun to have a Lancashire themed evening so we thought that we would have some clog dancing and .

"It is probably the most off-beat thing we have ever done. We try to do interesting and fun things and the great thing is the money stays in Lancashire."

Ferrets became popular in Lancashire because of their ability to catch rabbits for the cooking pot and racing them developed as a pastime.

Lady Taverners is the fund-raising arm of the Lord's Taverners charity and club.

The money raised at the event will go towards buying specially-adapted minibuses to transport Lancashire children with special needs to sporting events.

The ferrets were taken along by Jan Griffius of Hurst Green, whose 13-year-old daughter Catrina is their proud owner.

Mrs Griffius said: "It is great fun for them, they love it. When they go down the tube it is like looking for a rabbit, they think they are hunting so that is why they get so excited. But you have to make sure you catch them before they run into the corner of the pub!"

She added: " They are great pets. They are very sweet, playful and affectionate but sometimes a little smelly!"

2:50pm Tuesday 27th February 2007