MEET unlikely best friends Benson the ferret and bichon frise Fletcher — who have been reunited after Benson went missing for FIVE weeks.

Amazingly the ferret — who owner John Fletcher thought he had lost for good — returned to the family home earlier this month after escaping through a hole in the garden fence.

Benson went missing from the couple's Astley Bridge home five weeks ago while they were on holiday.

Mr Fletcher said: "He disappeared from the garden and we thought we would never seen him again."

But when Benson walked into a neighbour's conservatory they were able to reunite him with his owners.

Builder Mr Fletcher found Benson while working on a site in Deane five years ago.

The 56-year-old said: "He was just walking down Deane Road — so I picked him up and took the ferret back home.

"My wife wasn't too pleased at first but she loves him now."

Benson soon got his paws under the table and when the couple brought bichon frise Fletcher home the pair became inseparable.

Mr Fletcher added: "They play together all the time. Fletcher walks around carrying Benson by his tail.

"Benson eats out of the dog's bowl and they have a lot of fun together. Fletcher likes to carry him around by his tail but he never hurts him."

The ferret lives in a hutch in the garden and has free range outside.

Mr Fletcher said he believes Benson escaped through a hole in the fence, which has now been boarded up.

Mr Fletcher said: "He was thin and has caught up on his sleep since he came back."

Mr Fletcher, his wife Lesley and their nephew 16-year-old Jack Worsley who lives with them, were delighted to have Benson back home.

He is now being spoiled with chicken and ham and plenty of cuddles.

Mr Fletcher said: "He is a lovely pet. He will sit on your knee and has never bitten anyone. He is very friendly."