A STUFFED hare has taken on a starring role in a popular TV show.

On most days the taxidermied creature is on display at the Booth Museum in Brighton.

But thanks to computer wizards the hare has been brought to life in new BBC drama His Dark Materials as Arctic hare Hester, voiced by American comedian Cristela Alonzo.

The fantasy show, set in a world where people are partnered by animals known as ‘daemons’, first broadcast on BBC One last Sunday.

Booth Museum curator Lee Ismail said the hare was scanned and “digitised” in top secret two years ago along with moths and stag beetles from the museum’s collection.

“Staff at the museum were not allowed to reveal our involvement until the series had been officially unveiled,” he said.

“They used the scanned specimens as a basis for the CGI animations of the animals.

“Puppets were also created for the actors to interact with in front of the cameras although we don’t know if these were based on our specimens.

“I’m not sure but I expect the hare may feature in the second episode.”

The hare will now be on display in the Dyke Road museum for newfound fans of His Dark Materials.

Curator Mr Ismail said it was part of a “loan collection” which anyone can borrow from on request.

“It means any possible damage wouldn’t affect our research collections,” he said.

The stuffed hare is far from the first Booth Museum specimen to feature as a CGI character on the big screen.

A badger from the museum’s collection was used to create a computer-generated character in the 2008 film The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.

Admission at the Booth Museum is free.

It is open every day except Thursdays.