WORKERS at an RSPCA centre in Chatham have been nominated for this year's Kent Volunteers Awards for their commitment to caring for animals. The 32 staff at the centre in Walderslade Road give up hours of their own time without which the service would be under severe strain.

Manager Michele Carr has nominated the group for the "volunteering which has had an impact on Kent" category.

She said: "Without these volunteers, we could not operate. Not only do they give their time and complete dedication to the needs of the animals in our care; they also provide a service to our elderly and disabled clients.

"They help them transport their animals to the clinic, visit the pensioners if they are ill or just sit and have a chat with them. All this is done above and beyond their duties as animal care assistants at the clinic."

The volunteers work between 20 and 24 hours a week looking after animals, ranging from wild foxes and hedgehogs to rabbits, chickens, spiders and owls.

The awards, for excellent service in volunteering, are now in their second year and are open to volunteers from across the whole of Kent. Categories include young volunteer, mature volunteer, and volunteer serving older people.

The winners will receive a commemorative trophy at an awards ceremony at Canterbury Cathedral Education Centre on December 5.