AN animal sanctuary is hoping people will help them cover their tracks and provide a smooth road to the centre.

Weardale Animal Sanctuary is situated high on the fells above Stanhope and is only accessible along a two- mile stretch of track, which is covered in pot-holes.

Sally Rowley, who runs the sanctuary with her husband, David, said they often have a dozen visitors to the centre a day, but cars are often in danger of getting stuck on the boggy track.

The sanctuary predominantly looks after livestock or rare breeds of farm animals and relies on donations for the upkeep of the animals.

Sally is appealing to local industries to donate supplies such as gravel or rubble to fill in the holes in the track, or for people to help rebuild the access.

She said: "It's a nice drive up the fell, but we need the track improved so people can get up here easier because there are a lot of pot-holes and by the end of the day it gets very boggy."

Once the materials have been provided, a group of young offenders will help resurface the road as part of an itinerary of community work.

Anyone willing to help is asked to contact Sally Rowley on (01388) 526375