Rescued animal spared hare-raising experiences as family share TV sofa

John and Suzy Naylor found "Frances" when she was abandoned by her mother and narrowly avoided being killed by a farmer's plough in a field.

The hare does not venture outside and now prefers relaxing on the sofa.

She is being fed on puppy milk and has been trained to use a cat litter tray.

Her wild side returns when she chews carpets and cushions, and she has more than once cut the family off by munching through the telephone line.

Wildlife artist Mr Naylor said: "We got her when she was just a few days old so she became very tame very quickly. I have tried to get her to go into a run in the garden outside but she gets hugely spooked, so she sits inside with us watching the television.

"We are keeping her in the house because she is agoraphobic.

"It wouldn't be fair if we put her outside, she doesn't like it and wouldn't be able to cope with the outside world."

The couple's children Eve, six, and four-year-old George, have struck up a deep bond with the three-month-old pet at their home in Langtoft, near Driffield.

Mr Naylor added: "Maybe one day in the future she will get over her fear and go outside like a normal hare. She has the run of the house and is very intelligent."