An animal charity that spent thousands rehoming unwanted rabbits last year is urging people not to give bunnies as Easter presents.

Staff from the Burford Blue Cross adoption centre say that dozens of families who buy rabbits as gifts find they cannot cope with their new pet and give them to the centre several months after Easter.

Nationally, the Blue Cross had to rehome 180 rabbits last year at a total cost of £20,000. They estimate the bunnies cost the Burford centre £5,500.

Susan Crown, of the Blue Cross, said: "People see the pictures of bunnies everywhere over Easter. They are all over the newspaper and on TV.

"People think they look very cute and think they'll buy one for their child. They don't realise how much care and attention they need and how much they cost to look after.

"It's the holidays, kids have nothing to do and parents are desperate to give them something to do so they buy them a pet bunny.

"But a child quickly loses interest in the animal and the adult is left with quite a bit of work to do, which they were not really prepared for.

"Thousands of pounds are wasted because of the number of families who find their pet is too much trouble and give them up."

The Blue Cross estimates a rabbit will cost its owner £3,000 in vets' bills, food and healthcare over its lifetime.

Helen Wright, of the adoption centre, said: "Rabbits are complex animals and require as much care and attention as a dog or a cat.

"They should not be given as presents to children without an adult being willing to take an active interest in their care.

"Hopefully if people take our advice we will see fewer rabbits brought in for rehoming in the future."

There are 12 rabbits waiting to be rehomed at the Burford adoption centre at the moment. Each will cost the charity £26 in vets' fees and £19 to be neutered, along with the cost of housing and feeding them.