A NANTWICH animal sanctuary facing unprecedented admission numbers will benefit from a new partnership with the town’s Sainsbury’s store.

The supermarket has teamed up with RSPCA Stapeley Grange to provide a collection point where customers can donate a tin of dog or cat food.

RSPCA Stapeley Grange in London Road provides temporary refuge for thousands of wild, domestic and exotic animals each year.

It is likely that the centre will admit more than 6,000 animals this year – the greatest number of animals admitted in its 20 year history.

Over the past 20 years Stapeley Grange has admitted more than 100,000 animals.

Lee Stewart, centre manager, said: “Stapeley Grange has admitted more than 260 cats and kittens and more than 500 hedgehogs this year alone, which is incredible considering the size of the centre.

“As you can imagine we get through a vast amount of food on a daily basis at the centre - so any extra tins are gratefully received.

“Your donation doesn’t have to be big. If everyone dropped in just one extra tin of cat or dog food it would make a tremendous difference to our food bill.

“The RSPCA is struggling financially at the moment with the sheer number of animals that are coming in, so food donations such as these are very welcome - every single tin of dog or cat food really helps. The RSPCA is a charity and we rely on public donations to exist.”

Sainsbury's customers can support the programme by simply picking up an extra tin of cat or dog food and putting it in the trolley provided after paying for them at the tills.