They say you are never more than ten feet from a rat – and in Vicki Sherburn’s home its a good deal closer.

Because the veterinary nurse, who lives in Sutton-in-Craven, owns 16 of the long-tailed rodents.

“They make great pets,” she said, “They like a fuss and they all have different personalities.”

Before starting work at The Avenue Veterinary Group in Bingley, Vicki had not come across rats as pets. She said: “Like everyone else, I associated them with sewers and dirty places, but once you get to know them you change your mind very quickly. They are really affectionate, friendly and fun.”

She added: “When I get home from work I shout ‘Ratties!’ and they get really excited and stand up at the bars of their cages.”

Vicki is a member of Yorkshire Rat Club, which promotes the keeping of rats as pets and encourages owners to show their animals in a competitive but friendly atmosphere. Vicki has had successes with her rats at shows, bagging a number of rosettes.

And if you think 16 is a lot of rats to look after, Vicki once owned double that number. “It was quite hard, I felt I was not giving them the time they needed,” she said. “Now I can fuss them all without any feeling left out.”

For more information about Yorkshire Rat Club visit yorkshireratclub.com or e-mail secretary@yorkshireratclub.co.uk