RSPCA'S latest recruit is hoping for purrfect start to her new role.

Mrs Mandy Tierney has become Bury's branch administrator for the national charity. And her first job is to house a number of cats which have been cruelly abandoned.

She said: "I only started in my position on Monday and I am desperate to rehouse these cats, as well as finding office premises and being a point of contact for local people who want to get in touch with the RSPCA."

Mrs Tierney (33), who lives in Unsworth, left her long-standing job as a manager of a Manchester firm of surveyors after seeing an advertisement for the position, which is the first of its kind in Bury.

The married mum-of-one said: "It is a career change but I have years of management and administration experience. The post involves a variety of different challenges and so far has proved to be very interesting, from raising money for the charity, gaining publicity and finding animals homes as well helping the public."

Already she has talked Prestwich Taxi Company, which is launched in the near future, to donate their first day's takings to the animal charity.

Anyone who can give eight-month-old Smudge and rescue cat Kerry a home should ring 0161 766 1414. This number is also available for these wanting help or information from the RSPCA.