CRICKLADE’S animal rescue centre is hunting for more volunteers as staff battle summer demand.

Jon Bennett, general manager at the Oak and Furrows Wildlife Rescue, said they have two types of volunteer roles.

The charity is hunting for people to help at the centre, as well as for volunteer drivers able to pick up injured animals and speed them to the nearest vets practice or the Cricklade animal hospital.

Jon said of volunteering at the centre: “It’s a lot of manual work. It’s not all stroking foxes, there’s a lot of cleaning. We need people who are willing to get stuck in.”

Volunteer drivers were required across the county, Jon said: “We have unprecedented numbers of animals coming in. It’s the time of year when there are loads of baby animals, particularly in the last week or two.” Drivers should have their own vehicle and be able to spare at least half a day a week.

Oak and Furrows staff and volunteers have recently seen a number of seagull chicks that, in escaping hot rooftop nests, had found themselves stranded on the ground. There has also been an increase in the number of young hedgehogs being brought to the centre, Jon said.

Anyone interested in volunteering for Oak and Furrows should email: info@oandf.co.uk or call 01793 751412.

For further details, visit: www.oandf.co.uk.