A charity devoted to animals has risen from the ashes on a new site following a serious fire.

It is now open to the public and visitors can stroke the numerous furry friends and give them a new home if they meet the right criteria.

Sheppey Animal Rescue Centre was formerly based in Sunset Close, Eastchurch, until the dawn blaze on December 31, 2006, which killed various animals.

The cause was attributed to an electrical fault, possibly after rodents damaged wires.

The centre has now moved to a new and bigger site at Lower Gate, Thornhill Road, Warden, near Warden Point.

It is run by Mike Webb, 58, and his wife Debbie, 38.

Mr Webb said: “We will be eternally grateful to Fred Lardeaux who owns Warden Manor for donating the land to us. We now have an acre-and-a-half of land and have just opened to the public at weekends from 10am to 4pm, as well as on bank holidays and school holidays. There is no admission charge, but we do ask for a 50p donation.

The centre has a pony, lambs, goats, rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens and polecats among others.