A HIGHLY contagious disease which kills rabbits within 24 hours has hit Redditch for the first time.

Three rabbits have already fallen victim to Haemorraghic Viral Disease and a Redditch veterinary practice is urging owners to have their pets injected against it urgently.

It is the first time the disease, which leads to internal bleeding, has struck Worcestershire and a rabbit will die once it contracts it.

Practice manager for McGettigan and McGettigan Vets, Glenys Putnam, said: "It's the first time we've known this killer disease to hit anywhere in Worcestershire and we've had three rabbits die from it in Redditch so far.

"Once a rabbit has it they die within 24 hours. There's nothing you can do for them."

But Mrs Putnam said there was an injection you could give rabbits to prevent them from contracting the disease.

She said: "I really don't think people are aware of the disease and how deadly and contagious it is.

"We would urge every rabbit owner to have their pet injected immediately. We are concerned it could sweep across the town."

She added: "It can be devastating for a family to lose a pet and rabbits are becoming really popular.

"Myxomatosis used to be the killer but HVD is just as nasty."