ANIMAL lovers in Deal and Dover are being urged to make a stand to save their branch of the RSPCA.

The appeal has been made by Yvonne Harrop, who is due to become the new branch secretary at its annual meeting.

She said: "We desperately need new members, not only to be active in the work of the charity but to help with fund-raising.

"These are exciting times for the RSPCA. A new East Kent Animal Centre is opening, but unless we can find more support then the branch may have to be merged with a neighbouring one. This cannot be good for Deal and Dover."

Mrs Harrop, who lives in Deal, said the branch has 70 paid-up members, but few turn up for the regular meetings. She stressed: "We are struggling to get enough committee members to attend the annual meeting.

"Can those 70 people please come out of the woodwork and start to get involved? We would also welcome new members. It is not just a case of shoving a tin under people's noses on flag days.

"The priority of the RSPCA is to ensure the welfare of animals. Different fund-raising schemes are needed and we hope to draw up a website."

Mrs Harrop would also like to see more children becominbg involved in the work of the branch. She said: "We need reviving. We need to raise our profile and the new animal centre is going to be expensive."

Charity branches in Thanet, Canterbury and Deal and Dover will be involved with the project and land and planning permission have already been sorted.

It will be based at Woodchurch, Manston, and architects are finalising the detailed plans. It should be built within the year.

Anyone interested is invited to attend the next meeting on Wednesday at the Loyns Room, St Saviours' Church, The Strand, Walmer. Ring 01304 363788 for more details. The branch annual meeting is at the same place at 7pm on April 14.