Patch the guinea pig is living it up to help abandoned furry friends

PET PATCH MAKES WAVES ON TRIPS AROUND CAPITAL

- By LOUIS CORBETT

A DERBYSHIRE guinea pig has shot to stardom - even featuring in Hello! magazine.

Patch was born in Long Eaton and adopted by Imogen Mitchell to provide company as she recovered from spinal surgery.

Patch and Imogen then moved to London, which is where the furry rodent's glamorous life began.

Now, the pair are raising money and awareness for Patch's Piggy Trust, a charity for abandoned guinea pigs.

Patch's fame started with an Instagram page set up by Imogen, which was initially only for friends and family.

However, Imogen soon realised there was a real community for guinea pigs online, and Patch became a figure in that community.

Imogen then came across a guinea pig charity that gave sanctuary for abandoned pets on the Isle of Wight.

She said: "I discovered a whole Instagram/Pigstagram community of guinea pigs and their owners.

"It really made me smile during a very difficult time with my health.