Cinnamon the vegetarian ferret has disappeared from his Chapel Allerton home, and he may well be hiding out in someone's broccoli patch!

The much-loved pet – who is black and brown in colour – is part of the meat-eating badger, weasel and polecat family of animals.

But Cinnamon's owner Ellie Parsons thinks his unusual love of five-a-day might have lured him towards greener pastures.

The mischievous three-year-old vanished two weeks ago but after much fruitless searching of the area, neighbours' gardens and local pet rescue centres, worried Ellie – and Cinnamon's pining partner in crime Nibbler – are now asking YEP readers to help trace their beloved furry friend.

Ellie, 27, explained: "Cinnamon is really clever and a bit of an escape artist.

"I found him on top of the fridge freezer once.

"Another time he wandered into a neighbour's bathroom.

"He likes to hide in dark and random places. He even gets into people's vegetable bins.

"He came out of one once with a whole head of broccoli - he's very keen on broccoli!

"Another time I saw him pushing a cauliflower across the floor – it was so funny!

"And I even found him in the potato sack.Ferrets normally eat meat and ferret food but he's got the most bizarre tastes – and he's even got Nibbler eating sweet-corn!"

Miss Parsons, a trainee teacher, said Cinnamon is an energetic and playful animal while four-year old Nibbler is docile and placid – but the pair are usually inseparable.

"Nibbler has been hunting around looking for him," she said.
"They always sleep curled up together. He's definitely missing his playmate."

Miss Parsons' love of ferrets started a few years ago when she and her brother wanted a pet but their parents were not keen on having a dog or cat in the house.

After seeing a neighbour lovingly take his ferrets for a walk, the siblings visited a ferret rescue centre and fell in love with the creatures.

If you think you may have seen Cinnamon or know where he is, call Miss Parsons on 07912 863258.