THOUSANDS of furry friends will hop along to a show billed as the Crufts of the small pet world later this month.

The Bradford Excel Small Livestock Show will be held at the Yorkshire Event Centre, in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, on January 21 and 22.

More than 3,000 rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, mice and rats will compete for the top prizes.

Visitors will get the chance to handle rescued rabbits and guinea pigs brought by Gwen Butler, from the Bunny Burrows sanctuary, in Richmond.

Yesterday, Mrs Butler took some of her animals to see pensioners living at the Morris Grange Nursing Home, in Middleton Tyas, near Richmond.

During the show, TV vet Matt Brash will give talks on pet care. He said: "Many people get great pleasure from keeping pet rabbits and other small animals, but sadly in the surgery we see the results of incorrect feeding far too often.

"At this show I will be explaining the best way to feed rabbits and guinea pigs and also discuss housing, handling and other aspects of pet welfare."

The show is open from 9am to 4pm on Saturday, January 21, and 9am to 3.30pm on Sunday, January 22.