A RESCUE centre can open its doors to animals for years to come thanks to an appeal in The Northern Echo.

Ark on the Edge, based in Woodland in Teesdale, County Durham, was already struggling to cope with an ever growing waiting list of unwanted pets when it found out three heavy-duty sliding doors needed replacing last year.

Animal lover Pat Kingsnorth, who runs the refuge at Woolley Hill Farm, was trying to raise funds for a desperately needed aviary at the time and turned to the newspaper for help to find the extra £2,575 required.

The appeal led to a flurry of donations totally more than £7,500, which not only paid for the aviary and the replacement of three large doors but two smaller doors too.

Work is now complete and Ms Kingsnorth could not be happier.

She said: “have raised so much money so quickly is wonderful and I would like to thank everyone who supported us.”

The sanctuary, a registered charity which cares for unwanted, sick and abandoned animals, is holding a free Easter egg hunt on Saturday, April 4. All are welcome.