Lollipop sticks and some animal magic helped save a chinchilla which fell off a banister and broke its leg.

Vet Julia Mewes used the sticks to fashion makeshift splints when she operated on two-year-old chinchilla Chinny.

Haywards Heath-based Ms Mewes said: "The leg was so badly broken if we'd put a pin in, it would have fallen apart.

"Very often we have to think of different ways of using household things.

"We have to be quite resourceful because of the nature of the work and the different sizes of animals.

"Lolly sticks were just the right size, though it took a lot of fine working.

"We were worried about sores developing under her bandage. They can be very dangerous for chinchillas as they have thin skin and no flesh on their legs. They can often die just from being scared."

Chinny had to return 11 times in four weeks to aid her recovery but is now feeling better and has been named the practice's pet of the month.

Her owner Carl Cook, 24, of Maple Drive, Burgess Hill, said: "Someone else was looking after Chinny in my flat when she fell while whizzing around.

"I was really worried but the vet was fantastic and it's thanks to her Chinny is still with us."