Hundreds of cats and rabbits which are re-homed each year by a charity face an uncertain future after its manager announced it is under threat of closure.

The Cat Rescue centre in Telscombe Cliffs may have to close in the new year because the house and cattery has to be sold off.

Debbie Campain has run the centre since it opened at her home in Fairlight Avenue, Telscombe Cliffs, but has to sell off her bungalow and the cattery following the breakdown of her relationship.

Cat Rescue, which serves the coastal strip and Brighton and Hove, was started 15 years ago in Patcham by the late Irene Hubbard.

It moved to Debbie's home about eight years ago where it takes in about 700 unwanted and stray cats each year.

She desperately hopes that someone will buy the property and continue the charity's work.

The cattery, which also takes in rabbits, is based in the garden of the £200,000 bungalow.

Debbie, who has re-homed about 5,000 cats in the past two years and 250 rabbits and guinea pigs, is very concerned about the cats and rabbits who live at the centre permanently.

They cannot be re-homed but will not be able to stay at the centre.

She said: "I'm desperately worries about some of our long-term residents here.

"There are two in particular. There's our French lop-eared rabbit Dolly who is very old and has a hernia and there's also three feral cats who I have domesticated and could no longer live on a farm but could not live in another home."

Debbie, who is currently caring for 50 cats and 25 rabbits, is devastated by the threat of closure.

She said: "I can't even begin to explain how I feel. This has been my life for eight years, seven days a week. I'm absolutely gutted.

"I'm hoping someone will want to take it on and buy the place and still run the cattery.

"It would be lovely to see that. It's so needed.

"We do so much work. It will leave a huge gap if it closes."

Debbie cannot afford to raise the money to buy her former partner out of the property, which may go on the market in the new year.

Anyone interested in helping Debbie can contact her on 01273 580464.