READERS have already reacted positively to our special Advertiser/Messenger Christmas appeal to ensure the many animals being cared for in local rescue centres are not forgotten while the rest of us tuck into the traditional festive fare.

Tins and packets of pet food are already being dropped off at our two offices in Bromsgrove and Droitwich Spa but we want a lot more.

"We have done particular well in Droitwich where one local company dropped off around 100 tins of pet food," says editor Alan Wallcroft. "We could do with a better response from Bromsgrove to ensure we can give the variety of animals being cared for in local rescue centres a special treat this Christmas."

To ensure we have a bumper bundle to distribute in the week prior to Christmas to all the animal rescue homes in our area, we need one last push from readers to get their animal gifts in by Monday, December 20.

All the centres do a tremendous job all year round caring for animals which have been either lost, dumped or cruelly treated. All you have to do to help us spread a little cheer for the many dogs, cats, donkeys, goats, swans and other creatures being cared for, is to pop into our offices with a tin or packet of animal food and pop it into one of our Give a Can a Home containers.

We'll be grateful and so will all the animals.