A rabbit who did not have the best start in life has been crowned winner of the KM’s Precious Pets competition.

Dylan a four-year-old Lionhead cross-breed was rescued by the RSPCA from conditions so cramped he could not move.

But now he is enjoying a new lease of life.

Our judges picked Dylan as our winner after readers’ votes confirmed him as one of three finalists.

His new owner, Julia Coddington wins £250 cash and a framed portrait of Dylan plus a year’s supply of pet food from the competition sponsor, the Maidstone-based Newnham Court Veterinary Group.

Miss Coddington, who works at Kent Police’s communications centre, said: “Despite all he has been through he is lovely. He has a big fan club among family and friends, so I decided to enter him and see how he got on.”

When Dylan arrived at Miss Coddington’s home in Sutton Road, Maidstone, he was suffering with E. cuniculi, a parasite which leads to muscle weakening, causing his head to loll from side to side.

He also had to have all but one of his teeth removed.

The £250 cash will go towards another operation, which Dylan will need on his remaining tooth.