A pet rabbit was rescued after he decided to join Bradford schoolchildren for playtime.

The young buck was gambolling around the playground at Lapage Primary School, Barkerend, before he was caught by a teacher.

The teacher took the rabbit home before he was passed into the care of the RSPCA, who will look to rehome him if he is not claimed.

RSPCA animal rescue officer Aleesha Haddlesey, who went to collect the bunny, suspects he may be a missing pet.

It is also possible that he has been abandoned by his owner. 

Aleesha said: “The rabbit was running around the school playground before he was finally caught by a teacher who took him home overnight. I think he has probably escaped from somewhere as he was healthy and he was in a good condition.

“The school put up stray posters and posted about the rabbit on a parents’ website, but no-one has come forward to claim him.

“He is really friendly and when I picked him up he was letting the children handle him. It is such a  shame and he could be a missing pet.

“We do take in injured stray rabbits, but this young chap was okay and because our centres are inundated with rabbits at the moment I took him to a private boarding rescue we work with and he will sadly have to wait for a space to become free in a centre.”

The animal charity is dealing with a rising number of rabbit abandonments caused by lockdown breeding and the cost-of-living crisis.

In 2022 alone, there was a 48 per cent increase in the numbers of rabbits arriving at RSPCA animal centres compared to 2021.

But as the numbers of animals rise, rehoming rates and space in centres are falling.

Anyone with information about the circumstances of the 'school playground rabbit', who was found on Monday, February 6, should call the RSPCA on 0800 123 8018.

Anyone struggling to take care of their pet in hard times can find advice on the RSPCA’s Cost of Living Hub, via the website www.rspca.org.uk

Sign up to our newsletter to get updates sent straight to your inbox.

Have you got a story for us? Email newsdesk@telegraphandargus.co.uk, Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and contact us here or call us on 01274 705292.