MEET Eddie -- the blue French lop-eared rabbit who has been voted one of the winners in a competition to find the nation's top Super Rabbits.

The five-year-old has amazed owner Jane Dickson and impressed judges with his bravery after recovering from a major operation last month to clear a blockage in his stomach.

Jane, of Barlow Street, Horwich, and partner Mark Hamer saw the competition in rabbit magazine Nibbling News.

Eddie was diagnosed with severe arthritis of his spine in February 2000, which has left him with problems getting around.

As well as his stomach problems, the roots of Eddie's teeth started to grow into his eye sockets and he developed epilepsy.

Eddie came second out of hundreds of entries from across the country in the competition, sponsored by Burgess Supafeeds.

Jane said: "He really is a bunny in a million. I was so pleased when he was voted runner-up. It's a miracle that he is still here."

PERFECT PET: Jane Dickson with Super Rabbit Eddie

And the prize, a supply of pet food, should also help him on his road to recovery.

Before he became ill, Eddie was quite large and many visitors often thought he was a toy rabbit. But since his operation, he has lost weight and Miss Dickson hopes that he will fill out as he gets better.