PUPILS are celebrating a happy ending after their school's pet rabbit was kidnapped.

Children at Bridgewater Primary School in Worsley Road, Walkden, were heartbroken when Robert the rabbit was stolen from his hutch in October.

Despite reporting the matter to the police and appealing for the help of BEN readers, nothing more was heard about the white Netherland dwarf rabbit, who was adopted by the school 18 months ago.

However, the pupils are now delighted as they have been given a replacement bunny -- which happens to be Robert's long-lost daughter.

Shortly before Robert was stolen he spent a weekend at his original owner's, nursery nurse Karen Williams, and mated with her pet rabbit, Daisy.

Mrs Williams, who works at the school, has donated Robert's daughter to the pupils in the kindergarten and the rabbit will become a full-time member of the school in the New Year.

The six-week-old grey rabbit was brought into the school as a surprise for the youngsters who voted on a name for their new furry friend.

The kindergarten pupils, who are aged three and four, thought of four names with Bella, Frostie and Santa proving popular choices, but Holly finally won the vote.

Holly will be kept in a securely locked hutch during the day and will be brought into the classroom to sit with the children for some of their lessons, but will be kept indoors at night.

Nursery nurse Patrice Bailey said: "Holly is a lovely rabbit and is the spitting image of Robert!

"Nobody seems to believe that she is Robert's daughter and I think a lot of the parents are convinced we have made it up to cheer the children up, but it's true!"

Staff at the school want to say a big thank you to Pendlebury Pets for donating a new hutch for Holly to settle in next month.