Ferret makes home in DIY shop

Amanda Richards found the ferret at her local DIY shop

A DIY shopping trip became a walk on the wild side for one south Wales mother after she discovered a ferret living in the shop's garden section.

Amanda Richards who lives in Heolgerrig near Merthyr Tydfil, was browsing in her local B&Q store when she spotted the tame creature.

The white and brown ferret had been scampering among the garden goods.

Store staff were unaware of the shop's squatter and were relieved when Ms Richards agreed to take it home.

"I went out to look for some bricks and when I bent down, a ferret came right up to me," said Ms Richards who has named the animal B&Q.

Missing

"It was the last thing I was expecting to see to be honest and a bit of a surprise to say the least.

"I wasn't afraid because I used to have a ferret as a pet.

"But I was a bit cautious because I wasn't sure if it was tame or not, but as soon as I went to pick it up I realised it was used to being handled.

"I took it to show the staff inside the shop and they had no idea that it was there - one even asked me what it was," she laughed.

Having taken the ferret to her heart, Ms Richards decided to look after it until its owner could be found.

And on Sunday, the ferret's owner came forward, responding to an advert in the paper.

"I wondered how we were going to tell who the real owner was," she said.

"But when this man called it, it came to him, and he handled it really easily - it's real name is Percy.

"It is a bit sad that it's gone, but it's back with its real owner now."