AN ABANDONED raccoon has found a new home at Tropiquaria Zoo in Watchet.

The zoo was desperately looking for a male raccoon to keep the female one company after their old elderly male raccoon died from a stroke.

Chris Moiser,and his business partner Jane, directors at Tropiquaria, said: "We realized that we might have a serious problem in obtaining a mate for the surviving female because of the EU rules about invasive species.

"We wanted to because raccoons are social and typically do need companionship."

Chris said the pair were delighted when Matt Ford, an animal rehoming agency found one and on Monday, met up with Mr Ford to take Archer.

Mr Mosier added: “Matt is one of those one off people who you sometimes meet, who is totally dedicated to what he does.

"A lot of animals are alive today that wouldn’t otherwise be because he has taken them on from government or rescue agencies to rehome and then found the appropriate keepers.

"Archer is a lovely animal, obviously used to being around people, and still a youngster. We will keep him separate from our older girl for a few days so that we can get to know him better and he can get to know us."