A TRAVELLING ferret has returned home after a round trip of more than 15 miles.

The Evening Press reported last week that a ferret had spent a few nights at the Judges Lodgings Hotel, in Lendal, York.

Staff said he "looked French", and named the little mite Pierre-Jacques.

Now the roaming rodent has been returned to his rightful owner, 15-year-old Faye Bradley.

Faye can reveal that the ferret is not French after all.

She said: "I don't know where they've got that from. I don't think he looks French, I just think he's gorgeous."

Faye, from Wilberfoss, near York, said: "I couldn't believe how far he'd gone. I'm surprised he didn't get hit by a car or something.

"He's called McVitie, because he's brown-coloured, like a biscuit. Male ferrets are called hobs, so we got hob nob, and from that McVitie's Hob Nobs.

"His brother, Greg, has run away a few times, but this is the first time McVitie has gone missing.

"He's very greedy, so he usually sticks around to get fed."

The woman who returned McVitie to Faye was Jean Thorpe, an animal welfare lecturer she knows at Askham Bryan College, near York.

Faye is a GCSE student at Joseph Rowntree School, in New Earswick, but goes to the agricultural college every Wednesday to study an animal welfare and management course.

Jean also runs an animal refuge at her home in Malton.

Jean said: "I take injured wild animals in, but occasionally I'll take ferrets in that have been found. The RSPCA brought him round last week, and then I got a call from Faye.

"It was a strange coincidence that we knew one another. I was amazed how far McVitie got - and that he survived in the wet and cold."

Greg, who has cream fur and black eyes, has also gone missing. If you have seen him scurrying around, phone Faye on 07919 010909.

Faye said: "Don't worry if you find him. He's a big softy too."

Updated: 09:58 Thursday, March 23, 2006