CARING residents are needed to donate their unwanted clothes to help feed and clothe a variety of creatures at a local animal sanctuary.

The Farm Animal Sanctuary, in Stoney Lane, Broad Green, has hit on a novel fundraising idea to help feed their 120 sheep, pigs, goats, ponies and poultry by selling recycled clothes.

Recently recycling bins in Rubery were badly vandalised and set on fire and were taken away.

Since then the Farm Animal Sanctuary, which has a charity shop in New Road, has offered to take in any unwanted clothes, shoes or handbags.

Shop manageress Val Wright, a volunteer, said: "We already take in clothes to sell in our shop, but by offering to take in any clothes, even if they are only fit for rags, we can raise more money for our animals and help the residents at the same time."

For each bag of rags the sanctuary sells it gets enough to buy a bale of hay. As the animals eat their way through 70 bales a week all rags are needed. Not all the clothes are sold on, as body-warmers and jumpers often find their way onto sheep or goats who need extra warmth.

People can leave their donations at the back door of the shop between 10am to 4pm and for collection of bric-a-brac and small items of furniture call Val on 0121 445 3888 after 5pm.