WHEN Annabel the hamster became trapped behind a bathroom shower after escaping her cage, her owners were frantic with worry.

They spent two days trying to save the runaway rodent, and were so desperate for help, they even called the fire brigade.

Things were looking bleak for the stricken hamster after three days behind the shower panel — until a piece of cheese came to the rescue Now delighted Mary Ward and fiancé, Mark Smith, say they can relax again, knowing the pet is safe.

Miss Ward, aged 38, said: “She is part of the family and we were devastated when she was trapped.

“We are taking her for a check-up at the vets but she seems fine. She loves nuts so we will give her some as a treat for what she has been through.”

The drama unfolded when Miss Ward was cleaning out Annabel’s cage on Tuesday night. She placed the hamster, which she received as a Christmas present, in a temporary home.

But she forgot to secure the box before she went to bed.

The hamster escaped using its exercise ladder which had accidentally been placed against the box and embarked on a night time adventure around the couple’s ground floor flat in Camrose Gardens, Halliwell.

The mystery tour took the hamster to a bathroom where it disappeared into a small hole behind the shower.

Miss Ward, aged 38, only discovered the hamster was there the following day after hearing scratching noises in the bathroom.

She said: “I had no idea what the noises were, I looked down and could see her. She popped her nose out but would not come out, I think she was frightened and we couldn’t reach in and grab her.”

Mr Smith, aged 45, who is disabled, contacted the fire service and the RSPCA for advice and even used a saw to try to make the little hole bigger — but to no avail.

So the early hours of Thursday, Mr Smith went into the bathroom with a piece of cheese in a desperate bid to coax the animal out.

“It worked, “ said Mr Smith. “We had sought advice from everyone we could think off, but it was piece of cheese which got Annabel out.”

Miss Ward added: “We put her straight back in her cage and are so pleased there has been a happy end to the tale.”