Students at Cambridge University are being given guinea pigs to help ease their stress levels.

Bosses at the famous university's Lucy Cavendish College say the furry pets will improve mental wellbeing.

Three of the pets have been named after feminist icons. One's moniker is inspired by suffragette leader Emmeline Pankhurst and is called Emmeline Squeakhurst.

Picture of Laura McClintock, Dr Jane Greatorex, Amy Hamizah Haidi and Aoife Byrne with the guinea pigs (left - right)

Another is called Virguinea Woolf after interwar writer Virginia Woolf.

The third guinea pig is called Ruth Bader Guineasburg, after Ruth Bader Ginsburg, an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States and only the second woman to be appointed to the post.

The fourth has simply been dubbed Oreo after the biscuit.

Senior Tutor Jane Greatorex said: 'We are dedicated to promoting mental wellbeing amongst our students, and numerous studies over the years have shown the benefits of owning pets including stress-relief and getting outside to enjoy our beautiful gardens.

'We hope that our new friends settle in quickly and help relieve any stress over the approaching period of exams. Thanks to Scotsdales Garden Centres for finding them for us.'

The guinea pigs are named after Emmeline Pankhurst (left) who campaigned for women to have the vote and Virginia Woolf (right) an interwar writer

The third guinea pig is called Ruth Bader Guineasburg, after Ruth Bader Ginsburg, an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States and only the second woman to be appointed to the post

Some students suggested the fourth Guinea Pig should be names 'Michelle Oreobama' after the former First Lady

Student Union Officer, Laura McClintock, said: 'In the short time I've been here I've missed having pets. I think it'll be good for us to care for them, and a welcome distraction from deadlines.'

Lucy Cavendish is one of three women-only university colleges in England and only accepts postgraduates and women over 21.

It is named after Lucy Cavendish, who campaigned for the reform of women's education.

The women's only college is named after Lucy Cavendish, who campaigned for the reform of women's education

Other initiatives aimed at supporting students through their hardest term in previous years have included 'take a break' sessions, manicures, ice-cream and massages.

It is not the first time that the College has owned pet guinea pigs.

In 1972, they were used to maintain the garden under founding Fellow and first Garden Steward, Marion Clegg.

The society newsletter at the time reported that 'the front garden now looks less forlorn and the front jungle has now been cleared.