A wheelie good idea has saved a giant rabbit at a West Cumbrian animal sanctuary.

It was thought Bertha, who lives at the Ani-Mel Haven charity at Bank Mill visitor centre, Beckfoot, would have to be put down when an old injury deteriorated and she lost the use of her back legs. 

But Melanie James, who runs the charity, adapted dog wheels to give Bertha the freedom to roam.   

Melanie said the improvement had been unbelievable.

She said: "When the vet said the nicest thing to do would be to put her down, she still had so much life.

"It took her two days to take to the wheelchair but it's given her so much independence.

"She's always been very dominant and if she didn't want to do something she wouldn't.

"She sits in it maybe for a couple of hours and then she has a rest."

Bertha was brought into the sanctuary, near Mawbray, as a baby four years ago and Melanie has raised her. 

Bertha lost the use of her legs in May. 

A fracture to her back leg suffered as a baby had gone unnoticed and healed itself, forming a callous, with Bertha's size and weight leading to hip dysplasia.

She had also suffered infections on her hip and back due to her lack of movement, which needed daily treatment to avoid infection.

The vet recommended the kindest option would be to have her put down, with the alternative being daily baths, physio, antibiotic injections and as much movement as possible.

Melanie was determined to give Bertha a shot at life. 

She said: "The majority, maybe 98 per cent of people, think I'm doing really well and that it's great how she's adapted but you still get the odd one saying she'd be better off put down.

"My answer to that is that wherever there is still life, everything deserves a chance.

"I first thought when she lost the use of her legs that she would just give in but she hasn't and her muscles keep getting stronger."