Yes, a new craze is sweeping across Leeds, and it's sure to bring the house down!

Pupils and teachers at Wortley High School held their very own ferret bingo tournament as part of the I Love West Leeds festival.

Ferrets named Hemp and Caster were the stars of the show as they wriggled in and out of a very special 'bingo' machine.

The concept of the game is simple. A large box with various ferret-sized numbered tunnels is set up.

An animal is placed inside the contraption and bets placed on which tunnel it will emerge from.

At Wortley High School yesterday pupils went mad for the game – and even more so for the participants.

The competition was the brainchild of teacher Angie Alderson, who owns the 10-month old ferrets with partner Michael White. The pair are determined to give the often-maligned creatures a better public image. Ms Alderson, head of performing arts at the school, said: "My partner usually takes the ferrets to game fairs and village fetes.

"They are very tame and very cute! And they enjoy doing it.

"It's very safe and there's no fighting.

"The pupils really enjoyed it.

"These are all city kids but they loved handling the animals. The ferrets are very affectionate, as friendly as a cat – my two year-old loves playing with them.

Rockin'

"All the pupils won sweets but the ferrets really won on the day because everyone had a hold and a stroke. They loved it!"

As well as ferret bingo, the school held a rockin' science lesson taught by a West Yorkshire band.

The boys of Amoeba to Zebra – who hail from Huddersfield – share the twin passions of rock music and science.

They led a lesson for pupils from years seven, eight and nine, performing a colourful show which mixes natural history and rock music.

The I Love West Leeds festival continues until Sunday.

Call 0113 263 8556 or visit www.ilovewestleeds.co.uk for details of remaining public events.