A Kent animal sanctuary supported by the late Ronnie Corbett has paid tribute to the comedian, who died today aged 85.

The comedian and dog lover cut the ribbon to Last Chance Animal Rescue in New Romney last May and supported the charity for the past five years.

Corbett got two dogs from the sanctuary – cairn terrier Bobby from New Romney in 2014 and Baz, a schnauzer from its original centre in Edenbridge in 2010.

He returned with his wife, Anne, to the New Romney centre last May after agreeing to open the brand new rehoming centre.

Last Chance trustee Avis Hakes said they were “sad and shocked” to hear of his passing but they were pleased he was able to support them over the past five years.

She said: “We’re really sad and shocked obviously because he was a lovely person and got two dogs from us. He very kindly agreed to open our new centre.

“We were very privileged that he gave his time up. We wrote not really thinking he’d give up a Sunday but he said he was delighted.”

The centre has since rehomed more than 200 dogs who would otherwise have been put to sleep had the centre not rescued them.

Mrs Hakes added: “It was just very kind of him to come. He was very natural and warming, amusing and charming and gave us a lot of his time and spent quite a lot of the afternoon. We were very grateful.

“He loved dogs and obviously being a dog lover he wanted to get a rescue dog. He was full of life when he came, I know that was last year, but we were very very sad to hear.

“I’m sure people came to see the animals but it made people aware. It’s a great cause.”

Corbett owned a house in Broadstairs and it is claimed that comic partner Ronnie Barker was inspired to write the famous ‘Four Candles’ sketch by a nearby ironmongers on a visit to the town to see Corbett.

Anyone taking a dog from the centre is asked to pay £130 and £65 for a cat. The charity does not put any animals to sleep. For more information visit the sanctuary's website.