A FAMILY has shown its appreciation to an animal rescue shelter by giving its recovery vehicle a makeover.

Stephen Rennison, of RCC Coachworks Limited, Kirk Merrington, near Spennymoor, wanted to do something to thank the Weardale Animal Sanctuary after it tried to rescue an injured dove, which was found by his 16-year-old daughter, Karen.

After seeing the sanctuary's battered rescue vehicle, Mr Rennison, 41, offered to respray it.

He said: "Unfortunately the dove did not survive, but I could not believe they made the journey all the way from Stanhope to Kirk Merrington.

"We cannot give a lot, but I thought this is one way that we could help."

The new-look Mitsubishi Shogun now resembles an emergency vehicle with green and yellow squares, and a selection of animals sprayed on the doors and the service's mascot, Jenny, who is their pet terrier, features on the bonnet.

Sally Rowley said: "I was nervous when I went to pick the car up but when I saw it I thought it was fantastic. They have done us proud."