An animal sanctuary has launched an urgent appeal for donations to help it build animal shelters on a newly-acquired farm.

Hillside Animal Sanctuary has recently been able to buy a farm near to its existing base in Frettenham, but now it needs to build animal shelters so that the livestock the charity cares for, such as cows and horses, have somewhere to shelter.

Large shelters, which can house bigger groups of animals, cost around £5,000 and smaller ones, which can house three or four horses, cost £2,000.

The charity estimates it will need half a dozen of the new shelters, as well as new permanent fencing and a refurbishment of the exisiting stables at the new farm, all of which could cost in the region of £50,000.

In the past year, the charity has given sanctuary to more than 100 cows and nearly 200 horses, ponies and donkeys from desperate situations and it is for these animals that the shelters are needed.

The new farm is conveniently next to land the charity currently leases from a local landowner and so staff already make the two-minute trip from the main base in Hall Lane to the new site to care for animals.

The purchase was made possible thanks to large donation from a single individual, a concerted effort by its loyal supporters, and by borrowing some money from the bank.

John Watson, from Hillside, said: 'The shelters are really important for the animals and so we need to get them built soon.

'We recently rescued 14 horses over Christmas which had been dumped on entirely unsuitable land and two had died.

'If it hadn't been for getting this farm it would have been really difficult for us to do that.'

The charity is now encouraging supporters to donate £5 towards buying a plank of wood for one of the new shelters. Larger donations of more than £500 will help to buy a shelter wall which will include a special plaque on it with a message.

Hillside also does special 'gift' donations, where a certificate of a donation, a charity calendar and greetings card can be sent in lieu of a birthday or Valentine's present.

To donate call 01603 736200 or visit www.hillside.org.uk

Do you have a story? Contact reporter Kim Briscoe on 01063 772419 or email kim.briscoe@archant.co.uk