PAINTER and decorator Alan Vipond has proved he is top of the pile at breeding dwarf rabbits with beautiful eyes.

After winning the top trophy awarded by the North-East Netherlands Dwarf Rabbit Association last season, with a rabbit with blue eyes, he completed the feat again this year - this time with an animal with red eyes.

Mr Vipond was presented with the Mumford Trophy at the association's annual presentation night, held at Wolsingham Workingmen's Club, in Weardale, at the weekend.

He now hopes to go on to win the blue riband of the dwarf rabbit world at Doncaster, in September, at a show which attracts 4,000 entries.

"Breeding show rabbits is a growing pastime here in the North," said association secretary Pat Flounders, from Billingham.

"We have more than 100 members, aged from five to 90, and a lot more women are taking up the pastime," she said.

The main trophies presented were: Mumford Trophy for best in show at Yarm, A and A Vipond; J Wilkinson Trophy for most adult points during season, P and S Singlewood; A Wilkinson Memorial Trophy for most points under five months old, Greenwood Stud; Kingsclose Rosebowl for best North-East member at Bradford show, Pendle Stud; A and D Scott Shield for best in show at Wallsend, E Brooks; D Rowlands Memorial Spoon for best under five months old at Wallsend, B Taylor; Vipond Shield for best at young stock show, R McCormick