RUPERT the rabbit has hopped his away to a top award - after saving his owner from the threat of a serious fire.

Rupert, who lives in Wetwang, grunted and stamped his back foot and led his owner Claire Davidson to her washing machine, which was pouring out smoke.

Now the brave bunny has won himself the place of runner-up in the Supa Rabbit of the Year awards with his heroism in a "hare-raising" situation.

"There had been an electrical fault with the washing machine," explained Claire.

"It started to smoke, and if Rupert had not called my attention to it, the situation could have been much worse.

"Aside from the heroic actions, Rupert is a brilliant and intelligent friend. He knows when he should be fed and in a morning he rattles his plate on the kitchen tiles in a bid to get me out of bed.

"Rupert loves running around in the garden, and shows just how happy he is by amusing us with his bunny hops. To me he really is a bunny in a million."

Updated: 10:34 Friday, November 02, 2001