ALBERT ALDRED could rightfully be dubbed the Rabbit King.

His life has been all about the furry and lovable little creatures, bounding about in the back garden, big ears flapping, pink butterfly noses twitching.

But, apart from 'Peggy' - his pet when he was a growing lad of 12 - to Albert they have all been . . . well, just rabbits.

"That's the only one I named," he said.

Albert (pictured), now 63, is president of the British Rabbit Council, regularly judging shows throughout the country and representing the UK at major events across Europe.

He has just returned from Hungary, discussing the rabbit - Britain's third favourite domestic animal - with members of the European Association of Poultry, Rabbit and Cavy Breeders; last year he was in Germany with other international rabbit fanciers planning regulations and rules for European shows.

It's all a far cry from Car Bank Street, Atherton, where during the dark days of the Second World War, he and dad John bred and kept rabbits - for food!

"After the war we kept them for pets," recalled Albert. "Then we began to enter them in competitions.

"There was plenty of local interest in the late 40s; shows were really popular then and Atherton Fair & Feather Society used to meet behind the old Labour Club at the top end of town.

"I had 20 to 30 rabbits, mostly the English breed (white with spots), in hutches in the back garden.

"Now I also have Seal and Sable Rex, a brown, velvety short-coat rabbit, and the Satin breed (blues and blacks). About 40 rabbits in total."

There are some 4,500 rabbit fanciers in the UK, hardly any in this area.

But Albert, president of Wigan Rabbit Club and chairman of the Warrington club, is busier than ever.

It is, after all, the Year of the Rabbit.

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