Cheeky duo Ant and Dek will be playing a big part in college life, but it is not the pair off the television.
Ant and Dek are the names given to two special pigs that have joined the Animal Centre at South Staffordshire College’s Rodbaston campus.
Staff and students are celebrating after the special Kunekune pigs were donated by a family in Tamworth.
Animal Centre manager David Riley said: “The Kunekune pigs are a welcome addition to the college’s collection at the Animal Centre.
“Ant and Dek are in quarantine at the moment, but will be cleared soon and ready to meet our visitors. They are very friendly and will be a big hit with the children as well as mums and dads.”
He said the pair of pigs would play a vital role in the activities of the college’s Animal Management students, who will care for them on a daily basis and help to train them.
The pair, who were born in June last year, have already been trained by their previous owners to sit like a dog and follow people when called.
Kunekune pigs were originally kept by Maoris in New Zealand and are known to be very friendly. They are hairy pigs, found in a variety of colours and are the smallest domesticated breed of pig in the world.
David said anyone considering any animal as a pet should take specialist advice, adding: “The college receives a number of calls each week asking them to take on unwanted animals and although we can sometimes offer certain animals new homes, we only have limited space.”