JASMINE the rescued rabbit from Colchester has become Britain's most expensive bunny after her devoted owner spent more than £2,500 on medical bills to save her.

JASMINE the rescued rabbit from Colchester has become Britain's most expensive bunny after her devoted owner spent more than £2,500 on medical bills to save her.

College administrator Jane Sweeting took in Jasmine after the pregnant rabbit was found locked in a garage covered in oil and starving.

Jasmine was living with college administrator Jane and her husband and their four other pet rabbits happily until last year when she developed trouble with her sight.

"Jasmine was always healthy and loved being a house rabbit so she was around us all the time," explained 30-year-old Jane from her St John's home.

"Then we noticed a problem with one of her eyes - and the vet warned us that it was probably pasturella and that she would probably have to be put down.

"The disease is found in nearly all rabbits but only comes out in some - it can also be fatal."

"Putting her to sleep simply wasn't an option so we paid for Jasmine to have two operations on her eyes - they were long complicated medical procedures lasting several hours and thanks to the skill of the surgeon she is very much better now.

"I know people say that £2,500 is a lot to spend but I always answer that it is no more than a dedicated dog or cat lover would spend on their pet.

"Jasmine is an important part of our lives and very special to us. She is getting better now but we still have to out in eye drops and give her insulin injections."

Vet Dermod Malley, who carried out the delicate surgery on Jasmine at his practice, South Beach Vet Surgery in Wickford which specialises in exotic pets, said: "It was a very unusual operation to perform.

"The rabbit had scars on the edge of her eyelids and problems with her tear glands. After treatment with antibiotics we decided to carry out plastic surgery on her eyes which would allow the lids to work properly.

"One of the operations meant that Jasmine was under anaesthetic for an hour and a half - a that's a very long time for a rabbit to be unconscious. But she seems to be making an excellent recovery - and the quality of her life will certainly have been much improved."