PETS at Home has decided to stop the sale and adoption of rabbits at all of its 440-plus stores, including South Ruislip, over the Easter bank holiday.

Instead, it will stage a series of free workshops designed to educate and inform future pet owners.

Each year, customer interest in rabbits increases at Easter, due to their association with this time of year.

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Customers will not be able to buy or adopt a rabbit from Good Friday to Easter Monday but are invited to take part in the free workshops.

The idea is to promote awareness of rabbit welfare and help prospective owners make an informed decision about the long-term commitment that comes with owning a pet.

Pets at Home have also announced a promotional partnership for the workshops with Sony Pictures for the new Peter Rabbit film.