AN animal sanctuary will become a permanent fixture after receiving council backing.

Bunny Burrows, in Whitefields Drive, Richmond, has been given permission by Richmondshire District Council to keep operating.

The sanctuary, which provides a home for unwanted and sick rabbits and guinea pigs, is also the home of the manager Gwen Butler.

Mrs Butler applied to permanently change the use of the property to be both a house and a sanctuary. Previously, the council would only grant temporary permission.

Mrs Butler said: "It's a wonderful Christmas present.

"We will not be doing anything different than we have been doing.

"It will just mean nobody can take what we have away."