STAFF at a York hotel welcomed an unusual guest in from the pouring rain.

His name is Pierre, or possibly Jacques, he has apparently bitten some members of staff, and he is running up quite a big bill now.

Oh, and did we mention that he's a ferret?

Employees at the Judges' Lodgings Hotel, in Lendal, think their furry friend must be someone's pet, because he seems quite tame, and are hoping his true owner will come forward to take him home.

He turned up at the hotel at about 11.30pm on Monday.

Duty manager Catherine Bell said: "We'd opened the door to let someone come in, and the ferret scuttled in with them.

"He was soaking wet, so I think he'd been outside for at least a couple of hours."

Assistant manager Julie Smith continued: "The night porter caught him and put him in the wine cellar, in a crisp box.

"We did some research on the internet, and found that they like kitten food. So, we've gone out to buy some. I've named him Pierre, because he looks French."

Said Catherine: "I thought he looked French too - I think it's his little head and his colouring. I call him Jacques."

Receptionist Corinne Foster said: "He's now residing with us, and building up quite a bill."

Julie said: "He has bitten some people, but so far he's left me alone."

Ferrets are members of the same family as weasels, stoats, polecats, martens, mink, badgers, and otters. Males can grow up to 24 inches in length.

Updated: 11:09 Thursday, March 16, 2006