A TRAINING centre for the disabled where 25 hand-reared chickens were slaughtered in a fox attack is urgently appealing for birds to be donated.

Noelle Wilson is calling for people to help replace the flock in time for an open day.

"We've already had six chickens donated by a local farmer, which was really generous," said Mrs Wilson, who runs the centre, at Top Barn Farm, Holt Heath. We've got an open day on Friday, June 14 and need animals for that."

In a bid to prevent more carnage, extra barbed wire has been put up around the top of the pen to prevent foxes running up the 6ft wire fence.

Last Saturday, John Gorton, who was caring for the chickens while the owner was away, found the flock savaged.

He believes a fox scaled the wire fence, which is triple thickness wire, and has been laid in the ground to stop foxes digging underneath.

Mrs Wilson revealed disabled students had visited the centre last Monday and were "devastated" by the news.

"We always tell the students the truth and told them what had happened to the chickens and they were absolutely devastated," she added.

The open day, between 11am and 4pm, features a plant sale, a tour of the farm and will sell locally- produced meat.