THE country's only reptile rescue charity has stopped admitting animals to its sanctuary because of a cash crisis.

The County Durham-based Reptile Trust has made its education officer redundant and its seven staff have received no pay for two months as it struggles to avoid closure.

The four-year-old charity, at Burnopfield, near Stanley, takes in abandoned reptiles, such as lizards, alligators and snakes and tries to find new homes for them.

Reptiles became popular as unusual pets for a few years but many are abandoned by owners unable or unwilling to look after them.

Chief executive Peter Heathcote blamed an increasing demand for the charity's services, rising costs and a fall in donations because of people's aversion to reptiles.

He said: "Our insurance has risen by 1,000 per cent to about £4,000 in the last year and it is being blamed on September 11. It's not just us, it's all the animal sanctuaries. How does September 11 affect keeping reptiles?

"We are treading water and losing the battle a bit. We put emergency plans in place and cut every expenditure we could.''

The charity says it needs to raise about £100,000 a year to keep running and needs £5,000 to stabilise its situation.

Mr Heathcote said fundraising was hard because people did not like reptiles and some companies would not allow the charity's collectors in their stores.

"We have put in nearly 600 grant applications and nearly all have been rejected.

"Ninety per cent of the people we ask to give a donation refuse. Some are amazed we are raising money for reptiles.''

The charity currently has about 100 animals on its books, including geckos and a boa constrictor, but will not take any more for the foreseeable future.

Many of the animals it looks after are sick or injured and they will continue to receive treatment at its clinic, which will continue to take private clients as usual.

Ironically, the charity's curator Stuart Dodsworth has been shortlisted as one of the final three candidates vying for the BBC Animal Awards.

"It is a frightening situation,'' said Mr Heathcote. "Losing John Grundy, our education officer, was heartbreaking.

"All the schools he visits, all the children who benefit from it, and there was no way of keeping him.''

Anyone who can help the charity should call (01207) 272766.