550 gerbils rescued from house

MORE than 550 gerbils have been rescued from a one-bedroom bungalow, the RSPCA said today.

The animals were discovered being kept in cages, tanks and ad hoc containers including wine boxes and washing-up bowls at the property in Portsmouth.

Some of the containers were stacked more than 6ft high in all rooms of the house, including the bathroom, bedroom, lounge and hallway.

RSPCA inspector Mick Garrity added: "The male and female gerbils had not been separated so they were continuing to just breed and breed."