The owner of an animal rescue centre has stopped taking in abandoned creatures as she prepares to close it.

Debbie Campain said Cat Rescue will shut at the end of the month unless she gets a significant injection of cash.

The centre is run from her bungalow in Telscombe, near Brighton, and helps up to 800 cats, rabbits and guinea pigs every year.

But last year Ms Campain split from her partner, meaning the bungalow has to be sold.

She said: "I have already stopped taking in animals in preparation for the closure and have been concentrating on finding homes for the animals I have.

"The real problem is the knock-on effect this is going to have.

There is an animal problem in Sussex and when I go there are going to be extra pressures because there is nothing else in this area that can take up the slack. In a year or so's time we will also see the consequences because we always neuter all the animals we take in.

"If we don't take them in then they won't be neutered and that will mean more animals around.

"It is desperately sad and I have been doing everything I can to try to keep going but there is no more I can do.

"We are talking about an initial injection of at least £30,000 and I don't think that is going to be possible to get in time.

"Sadly that means we will have to close.

"It is the animals I am really worried about.

"I'm not sure what is going to happen to them all now.

"Quite frankly, it is going to take a miracle."

Cat Rescue serves the coastal strip and Brighton and Hove and was started 15 years ago in Patcham by the late Irene Hubbard. It moved to Ms Campain's home eight years ago and the cattery is based in her garden.

She had hoped someone would be prepared to buy the £200,000 bungalow and allow her to continue the charity's work but nobody has come forward.

Ms Campain cannot afford to buy her former partner out of the property.

She said: "The problem is that a centre like this does not make any money.

"Every month we fundraise and use that money to pay for feeding, vet's bills and other costs so we are starting from scratch all the time.

"We really need someone who is willing and able enough to step in and help us out."

Anyone interested in supporting the centre or who wants to learn more can call Ms Campain on 01273 580464.