THE annual Grand National of the rabbit world returns to North Yorkshire this month.

The Burgess Premier Small Animal Show will open at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate on January 24, and will this year include the return of rabbit show-jumping.

The competition took place in the UK for the first time in 2011, at the Yorkshire Event Centre in Harrogate, but was launched in Sweden more than three decades ago.

Matilda Hedlund, from Sweden, brings Scandinavian competitors to the show, and will compete with her rabbit Dilba.

She said: "We are thrilled to be hopping back to Harrogate this year. The sport originated in Sweden in the late 1970s, but it has grown significantly in Britain over the last few years. We expect some thumping competition this year."

Richard Rockett, marketing manager at Burgess Pet Care, said: "Rabbit jumping is fun for owners and rabbits alike, but these rabbits have been specially trained for jumping and travelling.

"While we wouldn't encourage just anyone to do this with their own pet rabbit, it does demonstrate to people who might be thinking of getting a pet rabbit, just how much exercise and space they do actually need."

The small animal show on Saturday, January 24 and Sunday, January 25, will feature more than 3,000 chinchillas, gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, rabbits and rats, as well as stalls, trade stands and activities.

Tickets cost £8 for adults and £3 for children, and can be bought at the door.

For more information go to smallanimalshow.co.uk