HE’S not your average fare dodger, so rail staff were astonished to see this little chap hurtling along the platform without a ticket.

The hamster, believed to be around one year old, was rescued at Branksome railway station earlier this month.

Vet Henry Fielden, who thinks the plucky rodent may have been surviving at the station for some time, is anxious to reunite him with his owner.

“Quite often hamsters escape and are never seen again, you never find them outside as they are preyed upon,” said Dr Fielden.

“But he’s managed to survive, he’s quite a lucky little chap.”

The veterinary surgeon is looking after the hamster at his Poole Road practice.

He joked: “We haven’t called him anything, but basically all hamsters are called Hammy.

“I don’t think Hammy could have caught the Hampstead train from that station, but who knows?”

He added: “But in all seriousness, there may be a little girl or boy out there who has lost their pet.

“Hopefully we will be able to reunite them.

“He was found running up the platform by someone who works in the station.

“He’s a nice little chap, he’s a male, probably about a year old. He weighs 98 grammes, he’s orange and white, he’s friendly and hasn’t bitten anyone yet.

“It is most likely he escaped from a home quite close to the station.”

If you recognise Hammy, call Poole Road Vets on 01202 764 407.