A charity event giving kids the chance to pet guinea pigs will take place next week in Teesside – here’s everything you need to know.

Wilkinson’s Café close to Teesside Airport will be home to a flock of guinea pigs for the day on August 5 in an effort to raise funds for Tees Valley Guinea Pig Rescue.

The charity looks after unwanted and abandoned pets and will give visitors the chance to hold and stroke ten different types of guinea pigs and learn about various breeds.

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Those wishing to attend can head along to the café, located inside Wilkinson’s Landscape Centre for free but are encouraged to donate to the charity to provide care for the guinea pigs in need.

Wilkinson’s café manager Milli Greener has organised the event, as she has her own love for guinea pigs herself and owns purebred guinea pigs.

Milli Greener, café manager said: “Since opening the café, we’ve been looking at different events that we can run that are a little bit different to your average coffee morning. It’s definitely the first Pet a Guinea Pig event I’ve seen!

“Tees Valley Guinea Pig Rescue is a great organisation which does fantastic work with little fanfare, saving guinea pigs which would otherwise end up being released into the wild or put to sleep. Stuart gives them a new lease of life with loving homes or allowing them to live out the rest of their lives in its dedicated Sanctuary section.”

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For Simon Wilkinson, Managing Director of Wilkinson’s Landscapes, the organisation is “delighted” to support Tees Valley Guinea Pig Rescue.

He said: “We are delighted to support Tees Valley Guinea Pig Rescue through this event. I hope the event will help raise both funds and awareness for the welfare of guinea pigs in need.

“Maybe some of our guests will be contacting the charity to collect a guinea pig of their own!”

For more information, prospective visitors can visit the Wilkinson’s Café Facebook page.