Mirror WORKS: I'VE GOT PRIDE IN MY JOB; ..I get to cuddle lion cubs.

Byline: By LAURETTE ZIEMER

LUCY Pearsall sometimes takes her work home with her - which is bad news for the veterinary nurse's fiance and their four pet cats...

It can be hard finding space on the sofa when you're jostling for position with a bouncing baby lion and a big-pawed tiger cub.

"You should see the state of my sofa," smiles 28-year-old Lucy, who has been hand-rearing the cubs as part of her job at West Midland Safari Park in Worcestershire.

"Until last week both of them came home with me, but Tippi the lion cub is now 17 weeks old and spends the night at the park.

"Buster the white tiger is only seven weeks old and still stays with me. My four cats haven't minded too much while the cubs were small - but there's a bit of a strength difference now."

Fortunately, her fiance Chris is very understanding about the unusual guests at their home in Stourport. Being in charge of the sea lions at the nearby 100-acre park, Chris is used to wildlife - even if they're under his feet at breakfast.

Feeding cubs, delivering antelope calves, taking blood samples from elephants, worming lions, tigers, zebra, camels and diagnosing sickly fish is all in a day's work for Lucy.

"If I'm not out with the animals then I'm in my lab doing tests... basically working with poo," she says.

"We have many endangered species so there's always lots to do. There thankfully aren't too many creepy crawlies - I can't stand them. I'm also wary of the sea lions, they seem grumpy."

Her job has even taken her to the park's sister reserve in Namibia as part of ITV's Safari Park series.

"I never cease to be amazed at how lucky I am to be doing work I love - and get paid for it," says Lucy. Yet up until she was 16, she had no idea what career path to take. It was only after going to South Africa that she discovered her true vocation.

"I was smitten," she recalls. "I fell in love with the animals and realised working with them was what I wanted to do."

Back home she enrolled at Agriculture College and took a National Certificate in Animal Care.

"I had to do a week's work experience and the West Midlands Safari Park was suggested," says Lucy. "When I called the head warden Bob he sounded so grumpy - my tutor said he'd probably had his hand up a rhino's bottom at the time. Now I know the job, she was right!"

After a week spent helping out, Lucy was offered work as a seasonal animal keeper. This then became a full-time job.

"I spent three years working with all the animals and loved it," she says. "My particular passion was for the giraffes and elephants. I became more interested in the veterinary side and got some work experience on my days off at Vale Vets in Stourport. Soon I knew I wanted to train as a veterinary nurse."

For five years Lucy worked in the practice, but still kept in touch with everyone at the safari park. And when they advertised for a veterinary nurse three years ago she leapt at the chance.

"Hundreds applied and I got the job," she said. "I'm sure my previous knowledge and experience helped.

"My advice to others wanting a similar job is to get work experience wherever you can.

"Get qualifications, too, then just be prepared to work as hard as you possibly can.

It really is worth it.

"I love my work so much - no day is ever the same and I care about what I do. I really am so lucky."

West Midland Safari Park - www.wmsp.co.uk

British Veterinary Nursing Association - 01279 408 644/ www.bvna.org.uk

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MANE EVENT: Lucy with Tippi the lion cub Pictures: NEVILLE WILLIAMS