ANIMAL madness has taken over a Colne Valley household which has more pets than people!

The Phillips family have built up a menagerie of animals at their Clough Road, Golcar, home.

Dad Andy, mum Louise and daughters Ellie, 15, and Fern, eight, are all passionate about pets.

They have two ferrets, a paddle of ducks, two hens, two geese, two rabbits, a collection of fish, two owls and a dog.

Louise said: "I love animals. I have always been passionate about them. We all are."

The oldest animal member of the Phillips family is Gertie the goose.

She has lived at the family's home for 15 years - since the house belonged to Mrs Phillips' parents.

Mr and Mrs Phillips bought the property five years ago.

Gertie lives on land at the front of the house, along with the ducks, hens and another goose.

They are protected from foxes and other predators by Todd, the Phillips' border collie dog, who has been with the family for five years.

Louise said: "He rounds all the animals up and sees the foxes off. He likes to think he's working."

The two ferrets and the rabbits live outside in various runs and hutches - although the ferrets regularly venture into the house.

Louise said: "They make wonderful pets, but they need a lot of time, attention and handling. They enjoy coming in the house."

Probably the most unusual pets are the family's two owls.

Andy has an Indian eagle owl, which he bought two years ago when it was four weeks old.

He reared the male owl by hand and still spends an hour with him each night.

Fern has a barn owl, which the family got 12 months ago from a rescue centre.

Louise said: "The eagle owl has a strong bond with my husband, but can be quite aggressive to other people.

"However, the barn owl is very friendly. My daughter has taken her to school several times and she was not fazed at all by the children.

Many parents moan that they get burdened with the animals once children tire of a new pet - bit not here.

For a start, it is mum Louise who is always asking for new pets - and the children do their fair share of animal care.

Louise said: "My youngest daughter and her best friend want to be vets.

"Me and my husband both work full-time, so the children look after the animals."