AN RSPCA sanctuary has been swamped by a host of little furry animals in the run up to the festive season.

Now the centre in Altham is appealing for good homes for the menagerie to free up space for the unwanted Christmas presents destined to end up on their doorstep.

The creature collection includes 26 rabbits - a record number for the centre - five ferrets, two rats, two budgies, a gerbil, a hamster and a finch.

But staff are stressing that they don't want them to be taken as Christmas presents and instead want responsible animal lovers to give them a good home before or after a three-week period either side of the festive holidays.

Centre manager Jeanette Ainscough said: "We've got scores of small animals who all deserve loving homes. Some of them have come from our inspectors while others are handed in by responsible people for whom the novelty of owning one of these pets has warn off.

"A lot of the rabbits have been picked up as strays which is particularly cruel because some people think they can get set free and will survive

"We've got more rabbits than we've ever had, in fact, and we don't have enough room for them."

Despite Christmas being the busiest pet-buying period of the year, the animal sanctuary is determined that no one buys a pet as a present.

Jeanette added: "We stop re-homing them over Christmas because it's not appropriate to give them as presents. Animals can't adjust to the hustle and bustle of Christmas. We don't re-home animals between December 16 and January 4."

To offer a home (subject to checks) for one of the animals, call 01254 231118.