RABBITS Ella and Archie are helping to front this year's RSPCA regional campaign against animal cruelty.

They were near to death when rescued from a house in Horwich — but 12 months on are a picture of health and living with the RSPCA volunteer who took the call about their plight.

Greater Manchester holds the unenviable title of being second in the rabbit cruelty league table revealed by the animal charity this week.

The RSPCA is focusing, regionally, this year on rabbit care and the appalling conditions in which many are kept across the region.

Ella and Archie were found by RSPCA inspector Lisa Lupson following a call from a concerned member of the public.

They were living in a bare cage without food and water. A third rabbit was found dead beside them.

Owner Martin Fairbrother, of Mason Street, Horwich, had bought three rabbits for his children and although two survived the dreadful conditions one died from starvation.

He pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a rabbit and keeping three rabbits in a dirty and unsuitable environment was fined £500 and ordered to pay £750 costs by Bolton magistrates. He was also disqualified from owning animals for 10 years.

The RSPCA hopes this year's regional campaign will help more people recognise the need for rabbits to be cared for properly.

In 2008 the north region received a total of 1,402 calls relating to incidents of rabbit cruelty, neglect or abandonment — 232 of them in Greater Manchester.

Bolton RSPCA spokesman Sophie Corless said: "These figures are very worrying and show the neglect and abuse suffered by hundreds of rabbits across the north."

Kay White, who runs Bunnyhop rabbit rescue in Bolton, nursed Ella and Archie, both lionhead rabbits, back to health.

"When I first saw them I wasn't sure they would survive. But I fed them up and they doubled their body weight in a week," said Kay.

They were rehomed with RSPCA volunteer Doreen Cumming, aged 67 and her 62-year-old husband Dave — it was Doreen who took the original call reporting the rabbits to the RSPCA.

"The woman who called us was in tears.

"I was asked if I wanted to take them in and was delighted," said Doreen.

The Bolton, Bury, Oldham and District branches of the RSPCA are supporting this year's campaign with a rabbit awareness day at the RSPCA centre, Bradley Fold Trading Estate, Bradley Fold in Bolton on Saturday April 4.

Vets will be on hand, between 10.30am to 2pm, offering free health and teeth checks.