A NEW £250,000 medical unit has been opened during a festive spectacular at Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary in Edenfield.

The state-of-the-art facility was opened by sanctuary president and BBC Radio Lancashire presenter Ted Robbins, along with Lancashire's Pearly King and Queen, Dave and Jill Atkinson.

It will allow poorly cats, who arrive at the centre, to be properly isolated to prevent the spread of disease to other animals.

The centre was unveiled on the day the sanctuary staged its Christmas open day, with more than 1,000 invited guests enjoying "reindeer" parades and a visit from Father Christmas.