A VETERINARY nurse yesterday pleaded for permission to keep her home at an animal sanctuary.

Wendy Lacy presented her case to a Government inspector to try to prevent Stockton Borough Council evicting her and the animals she cares for.

The hearing at Stockton Town Hall heard that Ms Lacy has twice been refused retrospective permission by the council to live in a caravan so she can care for the animals on site.

Ms Lacy, a member of the British Horse Society, bought her seven acre smallholding at Calf Fallow Lane, Norton, near Stockton in 1991.

At first she looked after old and neglected horses but the sanctuary grew as the RSPCA, vets and other animal lovers asked her to look after other creatures, both wild and domesticated. She and partner Philip Lowery sold their home so they could buy the caravan and move on to the land.

They have two horses, six sheep, four goats, as well as geese, rabbits, chickens, cats, pigeons, a gerbil, a budgerigar, ducklings and hedgehogs.

Her problems with the council began when someone complained that she didn't have permission for a full-time caravan so Ms Lacy applied retrospectively.

But planners refused twice, arguing that the site was for horses, was not financially viable, was too remote and was also agricultural.

Ms Lacy told the hearing that there was a clear need for the sanctuary, because it was supported by the RSPCA and that she hoped to develop the site as an asset to the community.

Her solicitor David Stovell said his client only wanted temporary permission, for three years, to prove the sanctuary's worth.

A decision is expected within five weeks.