Black fox: Britain's rarest animal spotted roaming the streets of Manchester

Black foxes have largely disappeared from the UK after they were extensively hunted for their distinctive fur

Wilf the black fox had escaped from his enclosure (Adventures of Wilf/Facebook)

One of Britain's rarest animals has been spotted roaming the streets of Sale, Greater Manchester.

The elusive black fox climbed inside Sam Houghton's van and he later filmed it as it trotted around an industrial unit.

"We were amazed when we saw it," Mr Houghton said, according to MailOnline. "We googled it and it was definitely a black fox. I couldn't believe it when it said it was one of the rarest animals in the UK."

But it transpired the fox was actually the runaway pet of Ellie and Jade Monaghan named Wilf.

On their Facebook page Adventures of Wilf, the sisters, writing from his perspective, said: "I, Wilfred the Silver fox would like to admit to purposely escaping from my house/outdoor enclosure to get more Facebook likes and make the newspapers.

"I apologise to my owners and followers for causing any worry and panic... but I can't promise it won't happen again."

Wilf previously disappeared at the end of July and was found after a social media appeal.

Black foxes have largely disappeared from the UK after they were extensively hunted for their distinctive fur.

For the rare genetic mutation to appear, both of the fox's parents must carry the recessive melanic gene which affects the fox's coat.

For the rare genetic mutation to appear, both of the fox's parents must carry the recessive melanic gene which affects the fox's coat (iStock)

In another post, the sisters said: "We do not recommend anyone to own a fox as a pet without doing extensive research and speak to other fox owners.

"Foxes have been bred in captivity for generations and Wilf will have descended from foxes sadly bred on fur farms. Which is how we get so many amazing coat colours in captivity.

"Foxes are extremely high maintenance and not for those without a strong stomach as they give off a very strong stench and must be fed whole prey items i.e. Whole rabbit, chicks and rats mice etc.

"They must have a very large outdoor enclosure with lots of things to do. They are also much more cat like than dog as they will only accept attention on their terms."