A WILDLIFE rescue centre and the Adver have formed an unusual partnership to help care for sick and injured animals.

The Adver donated stacks of old newspapers to Oak and Furrows Wildlife Rescue Centre which comfort prickly, furry and feathered friends who have been taken in a the centre near Cricklade.

Shredded newspaper is an integral part of Oak and Furrows' everyday operation, with large quantities needed to line cages, isolation bays and tanks.

A team of rescue centre volunteers have already been tasked with shredding the newspapers which will be placed with current unusual patients including a fox, an owl and a stork.

Chrissy Ball, administrator at Oak and Furrows, said the donation had come at a critical time.

“Things were getting a little bit desperate for us, as we get through an enormous amount of newspapers every single day,” she said.

“We’re really grateful for the newspapers, it may seem like nothing but it enables us to continue the essential work that we’re doing.

“We already have hedgehogs bedding down in the newspapers and we expect the supply to last around two months which is fantastic news for us."

And Chrissy said the mountain of newspapers would prove vital during baby mammal season

The rescue centre currently has 55 hedgehogs, a heron, baby rabbits, squirrels and fox cubs In its care, with that number expected to rise over the coming months.

Chrissy said: “Many animals gets disturbed by spring cleaning and many suffer injuries as a result.

"At this point in the year we see a significant increase in the number of baby mammals we see at the centre. We’re asking everyone to be incredibly vigilant and to always check trees and bushes for animals before they undertake any spring cleaning.”

The charity provide care for more than 60 animal patients at any one time. From fallen fledgling birds to hibernating hedgehogs and deer Oak and Furrows has been providing care to sick and injured wild animals since 1996.

To cope with their increasing demand the charity moved from their Somerford Keys base to the Blakehill Farm nature reserve in Wiltshire.

Oak and Furrows Wildlife Rescue Centreis always grateful for donations of newspapers, muslin cloths for baby mammal feeding and fleece blankets.

To donate to the charity visit www.justgiving.com/oakandfurrows