AN animal welfare charity is appealing for help in the running of its Upton shop.

The RSPCA shop in Court Street has had to reduce opening hours to three days a week because of a lack of volunteers.

But the shop is vital to the charity's Worcestershire and mid-Worcester-shire group in its attempts to raise funds and committee members would ideally like to open six days a week.

"We desperately need more people," said committee member Geraldine Haynes. "We don't get any help at all from RSPCA headquarters, each branch has to raise money in its own area to do any animal welfare. That's why the shop is so important and it's the only way we can keep going."

Anyone who would like to help should call Geraldine Haynes on 01886 822083 or Pamela Booker on 01905 841354.