As the cost of living crisis continues to worsen one East Lancashire farm is doing its part to help pet owners across the county.

Chuckery Farm, in Bell Lane, Altham, has set up a pet food bank on their farm by teaming up with The RSPCA Pet Food Bank Partnership.

The non-profit farm want to help struggling farm and pet owners who are having to choose between feeding themselves or feeding their animals.

Lancashire Telegraph: Tracy and Tim Harrison, owners of Chuckery Farm on Bell Lane in AlthamTracy and Tim Harrison, owners of Chuckery Farm on Bell Lane in Altham

While they specialise more towards farm animals, they do offer food for ‘regular’ household pets such as dogs, cats and birds.

Tim and Tracy Harrison, who run the farm, said: “After discussing the idea with various food banks and the Food Bank Partnership co-ordinator, we are going to focus mainly on poultry, goats, pigs, birds and rabbits as dog and cat food is readily available from local food banks already.

“This is a very unique service trying to keep pets with their owners which is the best place for them to be.

“To feel you need to give your beloved pet or pets away due to economics is not something anyone should even consider so please if you’re struggling then don’t hesitate to contact us.

“As always help will be given in the strictest confidence.”

Tim said it is “heartbreaking” to know that people are struggling and worth that things will only get worse.

He said: “It’s heartbreaking to know pet owners are going without food so they can afford to feed their pets but that’s the reality of the world at the moment.”

Since setting up the food bank, Tim said they have received dozens of requests for animal food.

Tim said: “We can’t keep up with the demand. On the first day we had 30 requests and within 48 hours probably around 50.

“We noticed that it was becoming a very big problem in the community.

“We heard about it on Facebook, on the news and we had people contacting us about it too regarding taking animals in because they can’t afford to keep them.

“I think this problem is only going to get worse as the cost of living continues to rise.

“People are putting the pets before themselves and it’s causing a problem.

“It’s a sad reflection of the times we live in.”

To learn more about the scheme visit the Chuckery Farm Facebook page.