THE Easter bunny has paid an early visit to a York nursery, with six Easter bunny babies in tow.

A grey rabbit rescued from a fox on Dunnington sports field has become the latest addition to the Station House nursery family, and to the delight of the children has given birth to six tiny rabbit kits who are now enjoying life with 40 adoring human playmates.

The rabbit - renamed Hoppity by the excited youngsters - was found by nursery nurse Stacey Steel about six weeks ago trying to escape the clutches of a fox close to her work.

Nursery owner Ian Graham said: "Stacey came running back in to the nursery from her lunch break saying there was a big grey rabbit and a fox trying to catch it. Me and her went back and spent two hours catching it."

They took the rabbit to the vet to find out if she was microchipped, but when they found she wasn't they decided to adopt her.

Ian added: "I asked the vet if the rabbit was pregnant and he said he couldn't tell, we'd have to wait a couple of weeks."

A fortnight later, after Hoppity had settled in to life at the nursery she produced a litter of six rabbit kits, who have all now found new homes to go to among the parents and staff.

"We bought a hutch and put posters up round the village to see if someone would claim her, but nobody did. She's so tame now you can walk right up to her. She's not a wild rabbit, so we think someone must have dumped her," Ian added.

Around 40 children from babies to primary school age go to Station House everyday and the rabbit has proved a big hit with them and the 12 staff alike.

Ian said: "The children love having the animals around - they all help feed them and they all stroke them.

"They have really loved having the baby rabbits, especially with Easter coming up."

Hoppity is the latest addition to a growing menagerie at Station House. Alongside the traditional goldfish the nursery is also home to some giant land snails who moved in after their previous owner - the child of a staff member - grew tired of them.