THE owner of a Kent animal sanctuary has come to the rescue of 11 calves threatened with slaughter. Marion Eastwood, who runs the Friend Farmed Animal Rescue at Bush Road at East Peckham, near Maidstone, stepped in to help after hearing about a dairy farmer desperate to find a new home for the calves - now just a few weeks' old.

The dairy farmer had warned that unless a new owner could be found she would be forced to shoot the calves because they were virtually worthless due to the continuing farming crisis. The calves have since found a new home in Mrs Eastwood's sanctuary which they share with 80 other animals, ranging from sheep to pigs and horses.

The calves have all been given festive names by Mrs Eastwood - Holly, Berry, Noel, Cracker, Pudding, Santa, Mistletoe, Bauble, Rudolf, Blitzen and Carol. Mrs Eastwood said she felt she had to come to the calves' aid. "They would be dead by now if I hadn't done something. Thank goodness someone let me know the problems the calves were facing."

Mrs Eastwood urgently needs sponsors to help fund the care of the calves. US-based organisation PeTA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) put out an appeal on Mrs Eastwood's behalf and has already received one sponsor.

Anyone interested in sponsoring a calf should contact Mrs Eastwood on 07950 656462 or 01622 871617. Sponsorship is £25 per calf per year.