Ferret show founder delighted as 300 turn up

Janine Hipkins and Peter Allison wanted to bring the ferreting community together

The founder of a new ferret show said she was over the moon when hundreds more ferrets than expected took part.

The Old Billingham Ferret Show attracted dozens of people and about 300 ferrets to St Cuthbert's Church Hall on Sunday – more than three times the amount that organisers had hoped for.

Organiser Janine Hipkins, 28, said the event filled a gap in the Teesside town for ferret enthusiasts.

"I only expected a few but the amount of ferrets here is unbelievable," she said.

Her partner Peter Allison, one of the show's judges, has decades of ferreting experience.

The 54-year-old awarded rosettes based on ferrets' nails, coat, cleanliness and overall wellbeing.

"People laugh because when [Janine and I] go to shows together we do compete against each other," Mr Allison said.

Heather Johnstone has been attending ferret shows for about 10 years

Heather Johnstone, of Malton, North Yorkshire, said she currently had 22 ferrets and her collections of rosettes amassed over a decade was "well into four figures".

"They do take a lot of time and effort but what you put in, you get back out," the 37-year-old said.

She added: "They are the most loving, silly creatures - they have such funny personalities."

Richard Henshaw, 42, of Norton, Stockton, said he initially got three ferrets but ended up with 11 within two years.

"They're like in between a cat and a dog," he said, adding: "We have hugs and kisses, I love them running around in the shed."

Ms Hipkins and Mr Allison said they hoped to run more shows in the future to encourage more people to join the ferreting community.