FURRY family pets are needed to hop on stage and star in a theatre's festive production of Alice in Wonderland.

Rehearsals are well under way at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton, but poor Alice is missing something very important - real life rabbits to star alongside her.

Members of staff at the theatre are on the lookout for families and their lovely, lively rabbits to take centre stage and become a vital part of the creative team.

The successful bunnies, which can be of any breed, will appear at the beginning and end of the production and will become honorary members of the Octagon's acting company, with a credit in the show's programme.

Director Elizabeth Newman said: "Whilst preparing our festive production, we've been inspired by children talking to us about their love of animals.

"With Alice in Wonderland, we're eager to offer them a brilliant, engaging experience at the theatre that involves lovingly and responsibly cared for animals.

"We want our young audience to be swept up in the make-believe fantasy of the production, before celebrating with Alice as she finally gets to take home the real class rabbit – what she's wished for all along."

The Octagon's interpretation of Alice in Wonderland will run from Friday, November 14 to Saturday, January 10 and has been adapted for the stage by playwright Morgan Lloyd Malcolm.

The story begins when the very shy Alice, played by Sarah Vezmar, loses the beloved school rabbit and finds herself on a magical adventure to Wonderland in an effort to retrieve it.

During all rehearsals and performances, the Octagon will abide by RSPCA Guidelines for the Welfare of Performing Animals and, to avoid putting too much pressure on one rabbit, the theatre is hoping to involve multiple families and their pets in the production.

The rabbits will need to be available to rehearse during the week of Monday, November 10 with the actors and each will perform in about two shows per week.

Their owners will need to stay with their pets at all times and will have the opportunity to experience what happens backstage at a large-scale professional theatre production.

The families will also receive eight complimentary tickets to an Alice in Wonderland performance of their choice, as well as an additional four tickets for £5.

All reasonable travel expenses will also be covered by the theatre.

Last year, Berry, a German Shepherd-Collie cross, enjoyed a starring role in Of Mice and Men, playing Candy’s dog after taking part in doggy auditions at the theatre.

If you have a healthy, happy rabbit with star quality and would like to register your interest or enquire further, please contact Vicky Entwistle on 01204 520661 or vicky.entwistle@octagonbolton.co.uk by Friday, October 31.

Rabbits and their families will be asked to meet with the director on Monday, November 3.