A WILDLIFE rescue centre is appealing for charity donations to help it to cope with its busiest year ever.

Secret World in East Huntspill cares for orphaned or injured creatures and helped more than 5,500 animals last year.

But the centre is now being inundated with new arrivals; so much so that 2013 is shaping up to be the charity's busiest year ever.

Founder Pauline Kidner, who launched Secret World back in 1986, said the charity, with its nine-strong team of staff and nearly 60 dedicated volunteers was now coming under unprecedented pressure due to the sheer volume of new arrivals.

She said:“This in turn is putting a huge strain on our resources and is that is why we are now appealing urgently for more donations and offers of fundraising support.

"While the exceptionally cold and wet winter meant that for the first time our casualty pens were almost constantly full, the very late onset of spring has resulted in a huge influx of orphaned wild animals and birds.”

The centre is now appealing for donations to help to meet the rising costs of food, antibiotics and medicines, as well as heating and bedding. Pauline said:

“While just £10 will pay for a course of pain relief, £20 will feed two badgers for a week and £25 will pay to run a vital heat lamp for five days.

“For those in a position to make a larger donation, £36 would pay to x-ray and injured fox and £50 would buy the antibiotics needed to treat ten hedgehogs with infections.”

To donate, Text SWWR01 £5 to 70070 or click here.