18 June 2009

A Greater Manchester animal owner has revealed how he likes to take his pet squirrel on trips to his local pub's beer garden.

Tony Hattersley from Cheadle Hulme often pops into the Smithy to relax after work accompanied by Nutty, the Manchester Evening News reports.

The animal lover began caring for the squirrel when the creature sustained injuries after tumbling from a roof.

Due to hygiene rules the pair are banned from entering the pub but staff are happy to let them enjoy the outlet's beer garden.

"I understand why he isn't allowed inside, he is classed as vermin and they don't want a squirrel running around where they serve food," he told the publication.

"Hopefully Nutty will gather enough strength and eventually leave but he just keeps coming back to me."

Meanwhile, equine owner Bill Turner, Dorset, can often been seen taking his pet zebra to his local pub in Sherborne.