CRAVEN'S first rescue centre for unwanted and abandoned ferrets is due to open later this year.

Ferret enthusiast and editor of the UK's only magazine dedicated to the small creatures, Jenny Loweth, is setting up the venture when she moves from Gargrave to Bolton Abbey.

Jenny already has 14 ferrets - 11 rescue cases from various RSPCA centres around the country and two she bought as babies.

"They're very affectionate, cute and cuddly. None of my ferrets bite, they are all neutered and speyed. When I see these poor badly treated and abandoned ferrets at RSPCA centres I just want to scoop them up and not stop until I know there aren't any more out there suffering," Jenny told the Herald.

Jenny, a journalist, added that the RSPCA has welcomed news of her rescue centre. She will be working to rehome as many of them as possible.

She is currently trying to find a home for her latest rescue - a young polecat ferret called Simon. He was run over in Bradford and suffered a broken shoulder. Jenny took him from the RSPCA and he has made a full recovery. He has also been neutered.

"Simon is very small. He was very frightened and had obviously not been loved and handled. Now he bounces about, but he is still a bit nervous. He needs a ferret friend and a caring new start. Then I can go and get another 'Simon' - the rescue centres are full of them," said Jenny.

A number of her ferrets have been seen on television programmes including Blue Peter, Exchange, Look North, and Pet Rescue. They have also been on Radio Four's Woman's Hour.

They vary in colour from albino with red eyes to silver coated with white paws and have competed in a number of ferret shows with a good measure of success.

Now Jenny wants to start up a ferret club in this area with the aim of bringing owners together for social meetings and small shows.

Jenny can be contacted via email at ferretsfirst@hotmail.com or Ferretsfirst@btopenworld.com or by phone on 01756 748986.