THE go-ahead has been given for the Vale Wildlife Rescue Open Day on July 1 after fears that it would have to be called off due to the foot and mouth crisis.

Now an appeal has gone out for help on the day and setting-up the day before, as well as for gifts of cakes, bric-a-brac, toys, records, good clothes, raffle and tombola prizes, along with anything else that will help raise urgently-needed funds.

Caroline Gould, founder and manager, explained: "Although our Visitor Centre at Twyford has to remain closed until all the restrictions have been lifted, we felt it was safe enough to hold the open day at Beckford.

The Visitor Centre closure has meant a huge loss of income for the charity and for a time we were extremely worried about the future but response to our appeal was absolutely phenomenal and I would like to thank everyone who so generously donated in our hour of need."

Mrs Gould said things were still pretty difficult, and without the temporary Evesham shop things would be even worse.

Work is going on in a bid to get the new hospital at the Station Road site ready for an official opening of the new Vale Wildlife Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre on July 1.