Emma Dickson, 22, is currently caring for 65 mice, 60 rats, three gerbils and three guinea pigs.

She runs the not-for-profit venture, Rodent Rescue, with her partner Kevin Forster, 33, and friend Ross Fillery, 44.

They take rodents from pet owners who can no longer look after the animals and then rehome them.

Cleaning and food bills for more than 100 rats and mice are not cheap and the trio spend around £70 a week.

"It is quite expensive — any donations are gratefully received but we don't get them very often so it is mainly out of our own pockets," said Emma.

"I guess you could say I am a bit of a fruit loop but I just love them.

"They are great pets and I fell in love with them when my parents bought me a pet rat when I was little."

Rodent Rescue started in February 2007 when Emma heard that a friend of a friend was going to release an unwanted hamster into the wild.

Knowing the hamster would die, she rescued the rodent and has been hooked since then.

Emma cares for the animals between her day job at TJ Hughes in Eastbourne town centre.

"It is hard work and pretty much full time," she said.

"At the moment we are splitting down all the babies to stop them breeding and we also have to give medication to the ones that are ill."

The majority of the rodents are kept at Ross's small house in Station Road, Polegate, and the others live in Emma's one-bedroom flat in Eastbourne.

"People who say they are smelly and dirty could not be more wrong," said Emma.

"They are very, very clean animals, really intelligent, easy to look after and they make excellent pets."

If that has got you thinking about a rat or mouse of your own why not email Emma, Kevin and Ross at rodentrescue@hotmail.co.uk or call Emma on 07929095138.

The furry little animals are free of charge to a good home and Rodent Rescue also sells cages and provides starter kits for new owners.