THE British have got the Germans on the hop thanks to a Worcester bunny.

Roberto the rabbit has hit the national headlines as possibly the world's biggest thumper after a German specimen claimed the title earlier this month.

At 35lbs, he dwarfs 22lb Herman, who was thought to previously hold the honour.

Roberto's owner, Annette Edwards, a former bunny girl who posed nude for Playboy, reckons she has another potential contender in his son, Jim.

She said: "Jim is only six months old and already weighs half of what Roberto does, and he is nearly four.

"But at the moment it is Roberto who is the star. He has been getting so much attention lately, and he absolutely loves it.

"He is so big even some of the dogs that walk past get scared and give him a wide berth. His breed, Continental Giants, are usually very big, but Roberto is massive," said Annette at Worcester's Lon-don Road pet store, Bunnyland.

With just months before the football World Cup, which is to be held in Germany, UK papers are making a big deal of this 'victory.'

But the traditional rivalry is being blown out of all proportion according to Annette.

She added: "It is getting a bit ridiculous. I used to model for Nivea, which is a German brand, and I've had people asking me what I think about the Germans.

"I know the World Cup is coming up and there is always that rivalry between the two countries, but come on."

Roberto may be attracting national interest now, but you read it first in the Worcester News. The paper has been charting his progress for some time. After one of our stories in July 2004, Annette was flooded with media offers, including Japanese television crews that wanted to film him.