PATCH the guinea pig has got a new lease of life - after an engineer built it an ingenious wheelchair.

PATCH the guinea pig has got a new lease of life - after an engineer built it an ingenious wheelchair.

Family friend Paul Scott stepped in to help after the beloved pet lost the use of its back legs after an accident.

Patch's owner Helena Auty, 6, and her little brother Rowan, 3, were desperate to get their one-year-old guinea pig moving again.

Paul used a few items he had lying around the house and a lot of creativity to design a special wheelchair for the tiny pet.

Mum Becky Auty, of Saffron Walden, said: “The children are absolutely delighted that Patch is back to her old self and we are all really grateful to Paul for saving the day.”

Paul said: “I was really pleased to be able to help. The children's mum and my wife are friends so that's how I got involved.

“I built the wheelchair for Patch with a pair of wheels from a child's wagon, an adult-size skateboard knee pad and some elasticated Velcro."

The Saffron Walden-based craftsman added: “Helena and Rowan were really upset when Patch wasn't able to use her back legs any more but now she's back to her old self.

"She's eating, socialising and getting about her run just as she used to. It's great to see.

“Patch has now in fact regained the use of her back legs to some extent, but the wheelchair is still very handy for her when she's out in her run.”

Paul describes himself as an “artisan and designer”, as well as a “basic all-round metal worker” from run-of-the-mill agricultural repairs to working with contemporary furniture designers.

“I've worked on many projects, from furniture making to building custom motorbikes,” he said. “But this has got to be the most unusual request I've ever had!”