AN ANIMAL lover who has rescued several dogs and cats from a life on the streets in Turkey has set up her own charity so she can help even more animals in need.

Carol Holbrook, from Brompton-on-Swale, has been fundraising to help abandoned animals from Turkey for several years, but this year said she wanted to do more.

She has set up the group Animal Friends of Turkey, and hopes to be able to helps bring as many animals as possible to the UK for a loving forever home.

She said: "We always go on holiday to the Fethiye area of Turkey and for years I've been working with animal rescue charities there to help rehome dogs and cats back in the UK.

"We don't have charity status yet but I'm hoping we will by the new year. We are a non profit organisation and all money we raise goes towards getting animals health checked and transported to the UK.

"The vision for the future is a UK registered charity that can help more and more animals into loving homes."

Mrs Holbrook is organising a psychic medium event in Richmond Town Hall on Monday, October 8 at 7pm.

She said: "James Cameron and Simon Munro are fantastic celebrity mediums that work around the world but only work for charitable events for animals and children.

"It should be a fantastic night." Tickets cost £22 and are available by calling 07967-030443. Mrs Holbrook's son, Kalumn, has also taken on a gruelling Paras 10 challenge in Catterick Garrison at the weekend – 10 mile hike carrying a 18kg pack.

Visit Animal Friends of Turkey on Facebook.