A rat or what?

[Susan1]

In the garden today I saw an animal eating the food beneath the bird table. It was up to 20 cm long, plus a hairless tail of shorter/similar length. It was quite reddish brown, really cute and not very shy. The only thing I can think it could be is a brown rat, but it seemed to have more distinction between body and head, a bit like a squirrel (but not the tail) or even a small hedgehog (though it had only fur). I think rats are generally nocturnal and of a more greyish colour.

Has anyone any ideas? I wondered if it might be an escaped pet?

Susan