Can Tommy Cooper's statue cut rise in unwanted rabbits?

Image source, Caerphilly Media

Image caption, The rabbit at Tommy Cooper's feet has become popular in its own right, according to Tudor Jones

A statue of Tommy Cooper is being used to raise awareness of the plight of unwanted pet rabbits - "just like that".

A competition has been set up to name the rabbit depicted with the statue of Cooper - known for his catchphrase and magic gags - in Caerphilly.

The RSPCA also wants to use it to highlight an needing rehoming since the pandemic.

Cooper used models of rabbits in his tongue-in-cheek visual gags.

Image caption, Tommy Cooper was born in Caerphilly in 1921

Tudor Jones, chairman of the Tommy Cooper Society and a former chairman of the RSPCA's local branch, said the idea for the came about as a way to highlight their charity work and the plight of pets.

"I was recently giving a talk to an audience in Caerphilly about Cooper's life and one of the ladies in attendance said her grandson loved nothing more than going to see the statue - not to see Tommy, but the rabbit instead," he said.

"This struck me as a great opportunity to name the rabbit."

Latest figures have revealed a 28% increase in rabbits needing rehoming in 2021, up to 859 compared with 672 from the year before.

Dr Jane Tyson from the charity said: "We look forward to hearing some of the amazing suggestions for a name which may even inspire us when naming the many rescue rabbits in our own centres looking for a new chance of forever home happiness."

Image source, Phil Halling | Geograph

Image caption, The statue to Cooper and a rabbit was erected in 2008