And Jemima is resting away from the world after giving birth to an incredible 13 kits in June, smashing the average number of five to eight to the astonishment of breeder Denise McGill.

Denise, of Singleton Way in Fulwood, said: "People who come to see our giants are usually quite surprised when they actually see how big they are.

"Jemima is unusual because she has brought up a litter of 13 kits. It's very unusual for all the kits to survive but they have and they are all in excellent health – this is down to Jemima who has proven to be an outstanding mum."

Denise has kept rabbits since she was seven-years-old and she and fellow breeder Elaine Simmonds have 48 between them.

Denise, who is registered with the British Rabbit Council, said: "It was about seven years ago when I first saw a giant when I was visiting someone in Southport.

"I fell in love with them and within a couple of weeks I bought my first British giant.

"Soon afterwards I moved on to breeding the larger Continental Giant. They love the attention they get through interacting with people, they also love playing with toys which we put in their hutches.

"Each one has a different character but the boys are the most mischievous. They have a loving temperament and are inquisitive, they are often referred to as gentle giants."

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