THE RSPCA has announced that it received more than 1,100 calls about needy animals in Greater Manchester last Christmas.

Last December, more than 61,000 calls came in nationwide to the charity's cruelty line, up by more than 5,000 the previous year. Of those calls, 1,130 were logged in Greater Manchester.

The figures were released as part of the RSPCA's 'Stock the Sleigh' campaign, to help the animals the charity cares for over Christmas.

The charity took in more than 5,000 animals last Christmas, including more than 2,100 cats and more than 1,000 dogs

To help the RSPCA stock vital supplies such as medicine, food and beds for the Christmas period, visit: www.rspca.org.uk/giftofkindness.