VOLUNTEERS are required to help stage the biggest event in the six-year history of the RSPCA animal centre at Leybourne, near West Malling.

The national finals of the RSPCA Dog of the Year Show will be held on a field next to the centre on Saturday, September 7.

Evelyn Mundy, vice chairman of the Friends of the RSPCA Leybourne Animal Centre, said: "On the day we need at least 82 volunteers to run various stalls, take money at the gate and serve tea and coffee. People can help us on an ad hoc basis. They don't have to help us a day every month."

Mrs Mundy said: "Vet bills can be quite expensive, so if a pet comes in and needs an operation, the Friends pay for the animal to be cared for until it is re-homed.

"At the moment, we're trying to raise £160,000 for the small animal house where pets other than cats and dogs are kept. We're at £35,000 at the moment, so it's obviously going to take us some time."

Anyone interested in becoming a member of the Friends should write to their secretary, Pauline Wright, leaving their address and telephone number, at 199 Castle Way, Leybourne, West Malling ME19 5HW.