OAK and Furrows Wildlife Rescue Centre near Cricklade staged its first major fundraising event on Saturday and raised £8,500 to help boost funds for the care of 4,300 animals in the past year.

The figure was up 1,500 than in previous years and included over 300 hedgehogs, also a record amount.

The event, at the De Vere Cotswold Water Park Hotel, included a performance by one of the charity’s patrons, Pam Ayres, an auction with Philip Allwood, of the BBC’s Bargain Hunt and Moore Allen and Innocent of Cirencester, which raised over £6,500 of the total.

The renowned Sapphires women’s string quartet also performed along with singer and composer Leon Daye.

The auction included a picture by Pam Ayres, and items donated by two other patrons – a bronze owl by sculptor Adam Binder and the first acoustic guitar of Ian Anderson, leader of Jethro Tull.

Guests enjoyed a buffet dinner and were able to sign up as formal supporters of the charity.

There was also a screen presentation on the work carried out by Oak and Furrows, which is based on the 600 acre Blakehill Nature Reserve.

Serena Stevens, the charity’s founder, expressed her gratitude for the huge support.

Trustees chairman Robin Thompson said: “The sum of £8,500 is a great start to what we hope will be a strong fundraising programme.”