Last weekend (1-2 July), Stafford hosted the biggest rabbit show of the new millennium, Rabbit 2000 - organised by the British Rabbit Council and sponsored by national manufacturer Supreme Petfoods - the makers of Russel Rabbit.

Figures show that 2,600 rabbits were exhibited and more than 3,000 people attended, making it the biggest rabbit show since the last rabbit show at Crystal Palace in 1923.

Special guests included David Grant MBE B.Vet.Med FRCVS - veterinary director of RSPCA London North (Harmsworth Memorial) from BBC's Animal Hospital programme - plus local Stafford MP, David Kidney, Emma Magnus from Barking Mad, Anna Meredith from Pet Rescue and Supreme's life-size cuddly characters, Russel Rabbit, Gerty Guinea Pig and Harry Hamster.

The show was held at the Staffordshire County Showground and other attractions included a veterinary conference, various exhibition stands, the British Hamster Association, National Fancy Rat Association and the National Gerbil Society also put on displays for the general public. In addition, hundreds of children from across the UK entered their pets for junior classes, to win a range of trophies, rosettes and prizes. The Supreme Petfoods Supreme Champion prize was won by a Tan rabbit called 'Galahad' from the Albany Stud, entered by Pete Harrison from York.