A LOCAL wildlife rescue centre is asking for members of the public to donate bin bags full of clothes so it can continue to rescue and release wild animals.

RSPCA Oak and Furrows, in Cricklade, has recently celebrated the release of a poorly collared dove that staff had successfully rehabilitated back to full health.

But it says that without donations of unwanted clothes to supply its chain of ten charity shops in the region, it might not be able to continue this vital work.

@adver_daniel_wood Wiltshire-based wildlife rescue centre @rspca_oandf needs help to continue saving British wildlife as the cost of living has seen its costs soar. Here's one example of how it helps. #charity #animals #animalsoftiktok #hedgehogsoftiktok #hedgehog #wildliferescue #wildlife #britishwildlife #RSPCA ♬ original sound - Adver_Daniel_Wood

This is because the energy costs have risen around 50 per cent and are set to rise a further 25 per cent with the lifting of the cap later this year. This, on top of wage increases, has added £100,000 on to the charity’s budget.

With the wildlife centre already costing more than £300,000 a year, taking up almost all the money raised by the charity stores, this is a huge increase.

Adver reporter Daniel Wood went to the RSPCA North Wiltshire and Newbury district branch’s Wootton Bassett charity store, and the Oak and Furrows rescue centre itself to find out more.