AN animal sanctuary that has rescued and re-homed thousands of needy pets over the past decade is to close.

Kate Wilson, the manager of Ramshaw Rescue Centre, near Bishop Auckland, has decided to close the refuge because of the increasing financial demands of running the business.

Mrs Wilson has provided shelter for unwanted, abused and abandoned animals from Wear Valley and Teesdale for 11 years.

But she says the rising costs of insurance and public liability cover along with huge feeding, housing and veterinary bills have become impossible to meet without the support of other agencies.

Mrs Wilson said: "The police and Castle Vets have been a fantastic support but I've never had financial support from anyone.

"Last year, I had to spend £41,000 from my own pocket to keep the place going and I'm not prepared to do it anymore.

"The time, effort and physical labour has never been an issue, I've given the centre 100 per cent commitment, 24 hours a day for 11 years, but I cannot do it any longer.

"We have re-homed 6,000 dogs, 200 horses and innumerable small animals and worked well with neighbouring sanctuaries such as Farplace and Weardale Rescue."

Mrs Wilson will now put all her energy into finding homes for the animals being cared for at the centre.

They include more than 100 horses, 17 dogs, five llamas, a pot belly pig, two goats, aviary birds, chickens, cats and guinea pigs and hamsters.

One animal desperate for a new owner is a teenage pit pony abandoned by a roadside last week with a serious eye injury and cancer.

Mrs Wilson said: "It was in a real state and had to have its eye and testicles removed. Finding him was the final straw for me because I gladly got up at midnight to pick it up and paid £500 vet's bill but then no-one else was prepared to help.

"The first day I stopped taking in animals I had to turn away eight dogs."

The mother-of-four said once the property, which has boarding kennel and riding school licenses, is sold she will spend more time with her family.