DOING what rabbits do best almost cost Pepsi, a lop-eared albino, her life.

Feeling a little amorous, she made her advances on the buck with whom she shared a hutch after being fostered out from North Yorkshire's famous Bunny Burrows refuge.

However, it seems her timing was poor and passion almost turned to disaster. In a grumpy mood, her would-be lover turned on her.

Bitten, and perhaps a little stunned by having her ardour so dramatically rebuffed, Pepsi fell awkwardly, breaking her leg. For many rabbits, such a serious injury could have proved fatal.

However, Pepsi was rushed back to Bunny Burrows, in Richmond, and, once again, the centre - which attracted national interest as home to Tullulah, the rabbit who had a tummy-tuck operation - decided to go with another radical solution.

Pepsi was taken to the Harrogate surgery of vets Nigel and Frances Harcourt-Brown, where bolts and pins were inserted in her leg during a delicate and complex operation.

"Some people may ask why we didn't just have her put down," said Bunny Burrows owner Gwen Butler.

"All I can say is that we will not destroy animals if they have a chance.

"I know Pepsi will probably have to stay with us now. It is unlikely anyone will take her knowing that her leg could break again and they could end up footing the bill for another expensive operation. But that is why we are here."

The operation is not thought to be quite as unusual as the tummy-tuck on Tullulah, who was so fat she could not clean herself properly - and was hardly an attractive proposition to anyone looking for a pet as a result.

"I think dogs and cats have had pins inserted in their legs to help heal fractures - so why not rabbits," said Mrs Butler.

Meanwhile, Bunny Burrows is still awaiting the outcome of a wrangle with the local authority.

Complaints made by some neighbours prompted Richmondshire District Council to advise the Butlers that they need planning permission.

A retrospective application has since been submitted and the number of animals staying at the refuge has been reduced in an attempt to reach a compromise.

However, the issue has yet to be tabled before the authority's environment committee, which will have to decide whether or not Bunny Burrows is allowed to continue its work.