AN injured baby hare has stolen the hearts of volunteers at an animal rescue centre - not to mention the owner's slippers.

Annie Davidson

AN injured baby hare has stolen the hearts of volunteers at an animal rescue centre - not to mention the owner's slippers.

The leveret was brought in to Wildlives, in Thorrington, last week after being mauled by a cat in Tendring village.

Owner Rosie Catford said the cute new arrival was thought to be just days old and had probably been attacked after its mother left it in a small hollow in the ground while she looked for food.

Now the baby hare has taken refuge in Miss Catford's slippers which apparently resemble its natural habitat - and so has been named after the cosy footwear.

Mrs Catford said: “Every time I put the leveret down it would run towards my slippers and when I wore them, it followed them round.

“I found an old pair but they were obviously not good enough and Slippers wants the new pair I am wearing!

“We are already attached to Slippers - baby rabbits are very cute but this is like a little cute ginger rabbit on a bad hair day!”