EXOTIC creatures could move into a County Durham village as soon as September, now that plans for an animal sanctuary have been given the go ahead.

Residents of The Exotic Animal Welfare Trust, to be created on the outskirts of Tow Law, will include wildcats, reptiles and birds of prey.

The £5m development will occupy a 22-acre site at Boundary Farm, on the A68, and is likely to be the biggest rehoming sanctuary in the country.

It will work with groups such as the RSPCA and zoos to rescue animals, adopt unwanted exotic pets and will offer educational visits for groups and schools.

The trust, which is about to be registered as a charity, plans to open a shop selling animal supplies, with profits going towards the running costs of the sanctuary.

Spearheading the scheme is herpetologist Peter Heathcote, who runs the Reptile Trust at Burnopfield, which will be absorbed into the new operation over the next two years.

Mr Heathcote said he was thrilled that the plans have this week been approved by Wear Valley District Council's development officers.

He said: "This means we can get started straight away with developing the site."