THE blue eyes of a tiny white rabbit captured the hearts of judges at a leading show to win it the crown of double champion.

Lydgate Blue Gem - or Bluey - was voted best in show from among 50 entries at the North-East Netherland Dwarf Stock Show held at Crook, County Durham.

Its owner, painter and decorator Alan Vipond, was ecstatic at Bluey's success, because it is very rare for a blue-eyed rabbit to win first place at a major show.

"The winners are usually red or brown-eyed and either white, sable or smoke," said Mr Vipond, who has been breeding dwarf rabbits since 1975.

"It's a fantastic victory. I've had some great rabbits in the past, but Bluey's the best."

Mr Vipond, who lives at Wolsingham, in Weardale, keeps 15 dwarf rabbits, mainly for breeding. But only three of them, including Bluey, go before the judges at shows.

Eighteen-month-old Bluey, a male, becomes a double champion because it has won so many classes at shows throughout the North-East during the year. At Crook, it beat off opposition from as far away as Scotland to pick up the title.

Bluey's next big challenge will be a championship show at Bradford in January.

"If he wins there, he could go on to become a national champion," said Mr Vipond, who described Bluey as "one valuable little rabbit".

Mr Vipond described his love of breeding rabbits as "something that gets a grip of you".

He said: "They make such fascinating company, and when you can breed a real champion like Bluey, it's a great satisfaction."

There was more satisfaction for Mr Vipond at the Crook show, run through the Wolsingham Fur and Feather Society, when his friend and fellow breeder, Freddie Johnson, was runner-up to best in show with a Siamese sable dwarf rabbit.