AN OWLERY has been constructed at a North-East animal sanctuary as part of a housebuilders’ competition to spruce up a project in need.

Barratt Homes North East’s Fix Up, Look Sharp campaign settled on deserving winner Kay’s Hill Animal Sanctuary, at Bildershaw, near West Auckland, County Durham, to offer £5,000 worth of time and expertise.

The non-for-profit sanctuary, which provides shelter to a wide variety of animals from alpacas to donkeys and birds, entered in the hope of securing more space to rehome the owls.

Kevin Plummer, from the volunteer-run centre, said: “We’re hugely grateful for not just the financial help, but the hard work that Barratt’s construction team has put into this project from start to finish.

“The building of the owlery gives us much needed space to rehome more animals, allowing owls, some of which can have a 6ft wing span, to join our residents at the sanctuary.”

The sanctuary was chosen from a shortlist of five as the most favoured in need of help, voted for by members of the public on Star FM’s website.

Scott Lester, Barratt Homes North East construction director, said: “We greatly appreciate the opportunity to make a difference by supporting a local community project. Our builders enjoy donating their time and expertise to worthwhile causes and this was a great project to be involved with.”