Family spend hundreds of pounds rescuing pet hamster from their car

A hamster has caused hundreds of pounds damage to a family car after escaping from a cardboard box and getting stuck behind the dashboard. Houdini, as he has been named, made his getaway just minutes after his new owners had bought him from a pet shop in Derby.

Houdini's adventure began as Victoria Cooper and her eleven year old daughter Heather, from Mickleover, were travelling home from the store in their VW Passat.

Mrs Cooper stopped at a supermarket to get some groceries. When she returned to the car, she found Houdini had got out of his box and shot under the dashboard.

Mrs Cooper called the RAC who had to dismantle parts of the car to rescue the trapped rodent in a two-hour operation. It is thought Houdini may have chewed through some of the electrics.

Mrs Cooper has already spent £250 on repairs, but fears the final bill may reach £1000.