A CHARITY dedicated to saving abandoned exotic pets is launching a fundraising drive this weekend.
The Reptile Trust, based at Burnopfield, near Stanley, hopes to raise thousands of pounds by selling pin badges.
The money will help to pay for the cost of its work, which is increasing as owners tire of pets such as lizards, snakes and iguanas.
On Saturday Wendy Turner Webster, a presenter on TV's Pet Rescue, will launch the appeal at the Milburngate Shopping Centre in Durham between 2 and 5pm.
The trust has already put on display in the centre some of the creatures it cares for.
Trust director Peter Heathcote said: "We have taken in 1,200 reptiles and re-homed 1,000.
"This is our first appeal, it's a national one, and we are hoping to raise £2,000 in the first two weeks alone.
All the money raised will go back to the charity."
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