AN animal sanctuary is appealing to the public after finding out it is in the running for £150,000 of funding.

Kays Hill Animal Sanctuary (KHAS), near West Auckland, was set up ten years ago and now has more than 200 animals on its books with everything from dogs to horses and wild birds.

Run by animal lovers Kevin Plummer and Leanne Wensley, the sanctuary is now in with a chance of securing the funding to build a new on-site classroom after being nominated through the Jewson’s Building Better Communities scheme.

Mr Plummer said KHAS desperately needs the public to support the project, which has more than 900 votes.

If the funding was secured, the charity will be able to build the classroom with toilet facilities, cafe, kitchen and meeting room as well as offering an indoor space for schools and groups to learn about the animals.

“It’s difficult getting the local community to rally round but we really need the public,” he said. “If we could build it we could get the schools up because at the minute we don’t have inside facilities so if anyone comes across and it starts to rain we get soaked.”

He added: “The classroom is what we have wanted for as long as I can remember and we’ve had planning permission in place but with the recession we just did not have the money to get the building built.”

To find out more search for Kays Hill Animal Sanctuary on Facebook and to vote visit buildingbettercommunities.co.uk by June 18.