Lucky the bunny has really lived up to her new name.

The rabbit found sitting on the pavement on the St Osyth Bypass by Tendring District Council's dog warden has been reunited with her owner - who works in the Council's Housing Services!

Allen East discovered Lucky on the B1027 between St Clairs Road and Clay Lane and took her back to his office at TDC's Environmental Services in Weeley.

Meanwhile Katie Wilkins - who works as an administrative assistant in housing at Clacton Town Hall about six miles away - was telling colleagues that her family was distraught at having lost their pet.

The next day Debbie, who works with Katie, spotted a press release on the Council's intranet site about efforts to trace the owner of a black rabbit picked up by the dog warden - and the tale had a happy ending.

Katie quickly made a call to Environmental Services and arranged for her husband, Steve, and daughter, Daisy, to pick up the rabbit this afternoon.

She also called seven year old Daisy's school to let her daughter know Lucky (the name given to her by Council staff - and real name Sparkle) had been found and to put her mind at rest.

"It was a very traumatic evening and Daisy has been very very upset," said Katie.

"Sparkle has made various attempts to escape before but had never got out. This time she took her chance while we none of us was at home. I'm just glad we are getting her back safe and sound."

Sparkle was well looked after by the caring staff in the Council's Environmental Services during the time she was lost and suffered no ill effects from her little adventure.

Laraine Simon, administrative assistant in ES, said everyone was just relieved that the bunny had been successfully reunited with Daisy.

"It's great to have a happy ending and know that Sparkle and Daisy are back together," she said.

20/3/09