A FAMILY'S dream move to France to open a holiday centre for disabled children was nearly cancelled - because of a 400-year-old seafaring superstition involving a rabbit.



Dave and Anthea Killen, of Unsworth, Bury, spent more than 12 months planning their new life in Calvados, Normandy, with their children, Kirsty, seven and Lee, six.



But they hadn't reckoned on a ferry company's policy regarding rabbits, after they booked to cross the Channel with French-owned Brittany Ferries.

Only days before they set off, the company told them that their two pet rabbits, Bugs and Niggles, couldn't travel - because bunnies are believed to bring bad luck.



Anthea, 32, said she was told that even cuddly toy rabbits and lucky charm rabbit paws were forbidden.



Superstition

She said: "I could not believe it. It was just days before we were preparing to make the final move. I was in tears."

It is believed the superstition against rabbits on ships dates back to the 17th century when, legend has it, a rabbit being carried for food bit through the hold of a warship which sank, killing hundreds on board.



Brittany Ferries spokesman Stephen Tuckwell said: "It is a French maritime superstition against carriage of rabbits on our ferries. We take all other domestic pets - it is just rabbits.

"I have checked the records and we have never had any complaints before. It is just one of those things."



Brittany Ferries gave the family a full refund and they travelled to France - with Bugs and Niggles - on a P & O ferry.



A P & O spokesman added: "We are delighted to carry rabbits. This is a new one on us. We run a straightforward system of formal pet passports."