AN ANIMAL rescue centre is making a plea for loving homes after being inundated with small pets.

Ramshaw Rescue Centre, near Bishop Auckland, usually specialises in taking in dogs, cats and horses but in recent weeks people have been bringing in pets of all shapes and varieties.

Kate Wilson from the centre said: "We have got a lot of baby animals. Guinea pigs, rabbits, chipmunks, chinchillas even a Senegal parrot."

Other weird and wonderful animals to find shelter at the centre include terrapins and snakes.

Ms Wilson says she no longer has room for any more: "My problem is that I cannot say no. But now we are bursting at the seams and I just cannot take any more in. We need to find homes for some of these pets.''

Anyone who can offer a home to any of the pets at Ramshaw Rescue should contact Kate Wilson on (01388) 834644.