A Salterforth man is causing a stir in the little-known world of whippets, ferrets, nets and warrens with two pioneering yearbooks.

Amateur pest controller Nigel Wallbank decided to put together a yearbook on whippets after realising there was a "gap in the market" for a compendium on the subject.

Mr Wallbank, who uses the dogs to hunt rabbits on farmland in West Craven and the Dales, said the only place to find out about breeders, equipment and training had been on internet forums, which aren't always reliable and can't be read on the move.

So, together with friend Jeff Hutchings, the 45-year-old compiled the Working Whippet Yearbook last year.

The publication, which includes articles from key figures in the field, was so successful that Mr Wallbank has now brought out a new version, the Working Whippet Winter, for the start of 2008.

Mr Wallbank, of Apha Street, said the book stemmed from his passion for hunting with whippets, which sees him rabbiting every weekend for farmers and landowners.

The Rolls-Royce worker said: "The idea for the book came after me and a friend were out one day and were talking about how there wasn't a book on ferreting with whippets.

"Whippets have got more popular since the introduction of the hunting ban, which outlawed everything apart from hunting rabbits and rats because they're pests. But there's nothing really for people wanting to get into it.

"So we got breeders to contribute to the first book and we got it printed by a firm in Skipton last year. It was an instant success and it had sold out by the end of September, then the reprint sold out too.

"The second book is a really professional-looking job and we're selling those out now - the demand has been absolutely crazy. It's taken us by surprise really and exceeded all our expectations."

Mr Wallbank believes using dogs is the most humane way of controlling the spiralling rabbit population compared with the alternatives.

"Farmers regard them as a pest and want them controlled," he said. "Rabbits do a lot of damage and they're thriving - the warmer winters means they're breeding all year round now.

"Using traditional methods like ferrets, nets and whippets is much better than myxomatosis - it's shocking. Even hardy farmers will say it's a shame when they see rabbits suffering from it. Then gassing is indiscriminate - you'll kill everything that's underground."

Surprisingly, despite his hunting trips netting a considerable haul of meat every week, Mr Wallbank says his staple diet consists of more than just rabbit stew.

"I don't mind eating rabbit, but I feed the bulk of them to the dogs and ferrets, either that or sell them to friends," he said.

"The reason I do it is because I enjoy doing it. If it's in your blood, it's in your blood I suppose."

For copies of the book, call Mr Wallbank on 07986 917325 or email rrwhippets@btinternet.com