THE Grand National of the rabbit world is set to return to North Yorkshire this month.

The two-day 2015 Burgess Premier Small Animal Show will open at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate on January 24 and this year will feature the return of the popular rabbit show-jumping event.

The spectacle is popular in Sweden, where jumping rabbits are specially trained to compete in timed trails around an obstacle course, based on a rabbit-friendly version of horse jumping.

The competition took place in the UK for the first time in 2011, when it was won at the Yorkshire Event Centre in Harrogate by Swedish bunny Cherie.

Matilda Hedlund, from Sweden, who is responsible for bringing the Scandinavian competitors to the show, and who will be competing with her rabbit Dilba, 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, priced £8 for adults and £3 for children, can be purchased at the door.

For more information visit smallanimalshow.co.uk