Diners at a pub in Saddleworth were left stunned this week when a ferret casually strolled in through the front door.

A black and white ferret, later identified as Taz, confidently walked into the restaurant at The Old Bell Inn on Tuesday evening without booking a table.

The animal was spotted by one of the diners who picked him up and escorted him over to the pub’s owner, Phil Whiteman who was in the kitchen at the time.

Phil, who has owned The Old Bell for 24 years, said: “The diner came in and handed the ferret over to me.

“We could tell he had been well looked after and he was easy to handle.”

The Oldham Times: Taz made himself at home at The Old Bell Inn Taz made himself at home at The Old Bell Inn (Image: Phil Whiteman)

A photograph of Taz was promptly shared on the pub’s Facebook page in a bid to reunite him with his owner.

A post by the pub read: “Has anyone lost a black and white ferret? We have just had this lovely little guy check in with us and he is currently staying in a superior room, waiting for his family!”

Taz managed to bag himself a free night’s stay at the pub, an evening meal, and breakfast in bed before being collected and taken home.

 

It remains unclear how Taz, who is from the Saddleworth area, managed to escape and find his way to The Old Bell Inn.

Phil said: “He probably heard about our good reputation. He had done a fair walk and undergone a trek to get to The Bell.

“We gave him plenty of breakfast and a hearty breakfast before he checked out. Taz did say he would give us a five-star review on Ferret Advisor.”

Taz is now safely back at home with the rest of his family.