ALL Tara wants for Christmas is ... a new nose.

The six year-old cat lost its old one when it suffered from cancer.

Vets had to remove a cancerous tumour which had developed on its snout, and now the tragic cat has nothing to sniff with.

White-haired Tara is believed to have spent the past few month as a stray in the Ingol area of Preston. During that time she picked up several illnesses, and suffered cancer of the ear, runny eyes, and the tumour on her nose.

Workers from the Lancashire Cat Rescue are currently caring for her after the RSPCA turned her away, despite her poor state of health.

They are now raising funds to pay for an operation to have a new nose built. Christine Lomax from Lancashire Cat Rescue said: "This is the first time we have raised funds for this type of operation. In the past, it would have been suggested that she be put down, but we were told about this operation and have decided to go for it.

"Tara is such a battler and we know she can come through this operation. She is being well looked after, and if she can manage to survive on bits left out for the birds, then I am sure she will be able to come through this."

The operation will be carried out by a vet at the Withy Grove Vets Surgery in Bamber Bridge in the new year, if enough funds can be raised.

Tara is currently being cared for by one of the rescue service's volunteers in Ingol, where she is said to be looking better by the day.

Christine added: "We think the operation will cost about £200, and we are desperate to get the funds together. We have a lot of cats to look after."

If you can help Tara, call Christine on 750263.

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