Spring Fair for Cuddle Bunnies

The event will be open to everyone but promises to be extra fun for children with 15 rabbits there to be admired, a fancy dress competition, face painting and a Find The Bunny game.

The fair will be held from 10-4pm and will be officially opened by Town Mayor Councillor Paul Lendon.

Sue Horsman, founder and chairman of Cuddle Bunnies, said: "I am hoping it is going to be fun. Bexhill 100 Motoring Club are joining us if the weather permits - they paid for vaccines for our rabbits last year which was great.

"Anyone is welcome - you can come in for free."

A retired teacher and classroom assistant, Sue began Cuddle Bunnies almost by accident.

She was visiting her uncle in the Irvine Unit and he kept asking when he could see Rosie. The nursing staff told her she could bring a child onto the ward and were surprised when she said Rosie was in fact a six month old house-trained rabbit.

"They said - your uncle is very seriously ill. He will be very upset if you break your word - you better bring Rosie in."

It was then she made contact with a member of Canine Concern and the idea of Cuddle Bunnies came about.

"The rest, as they say, is history. From there, Cuddle Bunnies has grown. "We are trained to use our pets for therapy work in nursing homes, rehabilitation units at hospitals, and we also work with autistic children. We go into youth organisations, and schools to teach children how to look after their pets properly.

"It's a lot of fun and a lot of pleasure.

"You can walk into a room and nobody is talking to each other - then all of a sudden their faces light up, and they are smiling and chatting to each other. "According to staff in nursing homes the effect lasts for days, with people talking to each other.

"Sometimes we go to a home and someone has just moved in and is very stressed, maybe in tears. Stroking an animal just cheers them up."

Anyone interested in Cuddle Bunnies can contact Sue on 01424 224982.