It took just one hour today to rehome 45 hens in King's Lynn who were destined for slaughter.

We published an appeal on December 11 to find 288 hens in King's Lynn new homes.

And this morning, charity British Hen Welfare Trust (BHWT) got in touch with the EDP to say there were 45 hens left who would be destined for slaughter if new owners were not found by 5pm on Friday.

After publishing the appeal at 11am on our website and social media channels, all hens were found a new home by around midday on Friday.

Katy Wooff, from the British Hen Welfare Trust, said: 'Thanks to the EDP's speedy campaign our phones started ringing immediately and still haven't stopped with callers really eager to give our hens happy homes.

'We would like to thank everybody who has called us.'

Ellie Kidd, 32, who lives in Hockering rescued four hens. 'I already had two ex-battery hens from BHWT and seeing them grow their feathers back and strut around the garden has been so rewarding<' she said. 'When I heard the urgent call for more homes I couldn't resist adding a few more to the flock.'

The hens, who were coming to the end of their commercial life, would otherwise have been slaughtered.