SUPPORTERS of a planned animal rescue centre at Deblins Green, near Malvern, are seeing light at the end of the tunnel after 17 years of work.

Worcestershire Animal Rescue Shelter could be open as early as the end of the year, as building work continues on the site.

A single line block of ten kennels, granted planning permission by Malvern Hills District Council earlier this year, is almost complete and the charity is advertising for a manager to live on site.

When the shelter is ready it will initially take dogs and any future development depends on the level of volunteer and fundraising support the charity can muster.

President Barbara Hardwick has appealed for people willing to fundraise for the charity to get in touch. People are also wanted to help on a practical level as volunteers.

Mrs Hardwick said visible proof that the shelter is becoming a reality has provided a much-needed boost to the project, which has more than its fair share of setbacks.

"It's been unfortunate we have had so many setbacks and give full credit to all my committee, they have stuck through it thick and thin" she said. "Now they can see something actually happening they're getting a renewed lease of life about it."

Getting the shelter up and running will be the first challenge for the charity, to work out some form of rehoming scheme and think about the longer term problem of how to widen its work to other animals.

"We will be taking it stage by stage," said Mrs Hardwick. "It's a lot of work. It's not that we shirk the work, we've been at it for 17 years, I don't think our dedication needs any proving."

Anyone who can help, should contact Mrs Hardwick on 01299 823571.