JUST over a year ago the future of Blackpool's Longview animal sanctuary looked bleak.

Funding for the Division Lane centre had dwindled and the morale of staff and volunteers was at rock bottom.

But today it's a different story.

Following an eleventh-hour Citizen-backed campaign, and a resulting stay of execution, the RSPCA centre's fortunes appear to have taken a turn for the better.

Longview is even holding an open day this Sunday -- the first of a series of events marking RSPCA Week and boosting funds.

"We're not quite out of the woods yet though. We need £8000 a month and we're currently at about £5000," said a cautious deputy manager, Helen Greenwood.

"We still need to raise the extra £3000 to say we are completely safe."

By November 2001, mounting financial pressure had led the RSPCA's Blackpool and North Lancs branch to decide on the closure of Longview -- the Fylde Coast's only RSPCA centre, opened in the 1950s.

But the following Spring the centre's '4000 Friends' campaign was launched with the aim of getting 4000 Blackpool residents to donate £2 every month.

"We were just determined that we wouldn't go without a fight," Helen said.

Finally, the groundswell of support won the centre a reprieve. All of which is good news for the animals. Already this year Longview has dealt with 54 dogs, 75 cats and 67 smaller animals such as rabbits.

The work is non-stop for the small staff team and their volunteers, but everyone is happier.

"From our point of view things are definitely much better than they were; just the fact that we're still here," said Helen.

"We have had some fantastic volunteers. We would have been really stuck without them. At least Longview is secure for the time being."

Longview animal home holds its open day this Sunday (April 27) at Division Lane, 11am-3pm.

Entry is free and attractions include pony rides, various stalls, tombola, raffles, face painting, Dandruff the clown and refreshments.

For more details, or to find out more about becoming a volunteer, phone Longview on 763991 between 11am and 3.30pm any day except Mondays.