A PET rescue centre near Fair Oak is looking in the direction of animal-loving businesses to help it complete its new building.

St Francis Animal Welfare, which is in Mortimer's Lane, needs tens of thousands of pounds in order to finish the project.

The charity's trustees have launched an appeal to businesses in the area as a result of a shortfall in donations which they had hoped would have been sufficient to meet the £125,000 bill for its construction and fitting out.

The new building provides kennels, a "dog shower", a food and bedding store, an office and a room where people can spend time with the animal they wish to adopt.

St Francis treasurer, Brian Robinson, said donations had been expected to cover most of the cost of the building. "As this is no longer the case, it has taken a large chunk of our valuable resources."

Mr Robinson expressed his gratitude to the builder, Roger Cowley, of Cowley Construction Ltd. "He has been extremely sympathetic to our situation, and has been very generous in helping us out where he could," he said.

St Francis hopes to officially open the building in the next few months, as soon as the finishing touches are complete.

Manager, Ann Hillman, is asking firms to sponsor individual rooms: "Our shelter is visited by hundreds of people every week and a local business could do well by advertising themselves with a sponsor's plaque," she said. "Our website also attracts more than 300 visitors a day."

Mrs Hillman said she would also welcome sponsorship from individuals and schools.

"We're relying on the public's generous support to help us in recovering the funds spent on our essential new building, to ensure that St Francis Animal Welfare can continue its good work for many years," added Mrs Hillman.

Sponsorship is available for as little as £10 a year and businesses who are interested may contact admin manager, Wendy Clinton, on 07828 181485 or e-mail wendy.clinton@sfaw.co.uk As well as the main kennels and catteries, the shelter has many resident animals, including a horse, pony, sheep, goats, parrots and chicken.

For details of pets currently available for adoption or to sponsor individual resident animals or their accommodation, visit www. sfaw.co.uk