FOUR cats which act as pest controllers have had their futures assured thanks to funds raised at tabletop sale.

More than £500 has been raised from the sale in the newly-restored vinery at Helmsley Walled Garden.

The garden has four resident cats that are popular with visitors.

However, they have run up some large vet bills and, because the garden is a charity, staff did not want to use money allocated for other things.

Volunteer Pat Hughes and Monica Grapios, cafe manager, ran the tabletop sale to start a cat maintenance fund.

Mrs Hughes said: "We wish to thank all the people who provided items for the sale and to all those who made purchases."