Carol Pope is now seeking foster homes for the animals as she prepares to close down the Oasis Ferret Rescue Sanctuary at Cragg Vale.

Carol, 62, is losing her home at Bent Close Farm, Coppy Nook Lane, where she has lived for four years along with her cat, three dogs and 22 prize-winning ferrets.

"I have to move out of here on April 1 and my choices are a six-man tent, my portable shed 'the ferret hotel', or a flat – but there isn't a chance I can get all my ferrets in there.

"I am going to have to shut the sanctuary down and find foster homes for them. They are my passion and I am absolutely gutted."

After saving Polly the ferret in 1996, Carol started the Oasis sanctuary in a two-bedroom house in Mytholmroyd and has established a reputation for her work.

More than a thousand have passed through Carol's hands and, at its peak, she had 97 ferrets in her care.

Carol also races ferrets in charity fund-raisers across the country and has won first prize at several agricultural shows, including Todmorden.

Following the death of her son Paul Dutton, a Gulf War veteran who was killed in a fight in Chester five years ago, Carol's passion for her ferrets has increased.

"He wasn't the sort of lad who would have wanted me to sob in front of the fire," she said, "and the animals have got me through the pain of his death."

Carol is looking for foster homes for her ferrets but plans on keeping 15 of the most needy ones.

Landlords Roger and Elva Wood, of Bank Top Farm, Cragg Vale, said: "We are not allowed to discuss any of our tenants."

Pennine Housing 2000 says it has classed Carol as a priority case but can only offer her a flat as they do not consider animals.

Executive director Amanda Garrard said: "We are happy to rehouse her but unfortunately won't be able to accommodate the ferrets.

"We wish her all the very best in finding a new home."