THE owner of an animal sanctuary which has cared for hundreds of creatures great and small for 16 years says she is "devastated" at having to downsize.

Ark on the Edge animal sanctuary, at Woolley Hill Farm, in Woodland, was set up in 2002 by Pat Kingsnorth.

A former teacher, Ms Kingsnorth gave the late Lord Barnard IT lessons, and plucked up the courage to ask for a lease on his Raby Estate land after the charity got a £50,000 grant to set up a sanctuary.

Lord Barnard backed the cause and since then, Ms Kingsnorth, and volunteers have cared for and looked after hundreds of animals from hamsters and horses at the 40-acre site.

The team has also planted 750 trees and hedgerow, created a nature trail and ponds and built dry stone walls, a cattery, stables and become an educational centre.

But with increased running costs and poor health, Ms Kingsnorth has made the difficult decision to move off the site this Autumn and will downsize to a smaller location in Woodland village.

"Because of all the operations on my shoulders, I have been told I need to stop doing what I'm doing," she said. "Because problems with my shoulder have escalated, I have not got a lot of choice really; I have got to go."

Ms Kingsnorth gave her year's notice on the site last October and said Raby Estate had been kind and given the charity a rolling month's contract to allow the team to move to the new site and rehome its animals.

So far hundreds have been given new homes, with Ms Kingsnorth taking around 20 with her including horses, a donkey and Shetland pony.

She stresses that no animals would be put to sleep and the usual vigorous house checks would be completed before animals went to their new homes.

Ms Kingsnorth is also looking for foster carers for small animals and volunteers to help with the move and future running of the charity.

Ms Kingsnorth thanked everyone who has helped over the years.

"Ark on the Edge is extremely grateful for all the support people have shown us and help they hope they continue to do so," she said. "I'm just devastated; it's going to be really hard."

For details visit arkontheedge.org.uk or call Ms Kingsnorth on 07970802286 or visit the charity's Facebook page.