ANIMAL-lovers in the Bolton area are being asked to share the Christmas spirit with the town's abandoned pets.

The Destitute Animal Shelter in Northolt Drive, Great Lever, will be home to 30 unwanted cats and 50 dogs over the festive period.

And staff are appealing to the public to help feed them and contribute towards the massive daily food bill.

They provide two meals a day at the shelter where the inmates get through 36 standard tins of cat food and 45 tins of dog food, 15kg of chicken and rice complete meal and 5kg gravy mix.

But, because some of the animals are very undernourished, they can need four meals a day.

"As a result, we have to be careful to stick to strict diets so as not to upset their tums," explained a shelter spokeswoman.

So they are also asking for donations of specific brands of food such as Felix tinned food for the cats, tinned Butcher's Tripe, Winalot Prime, Chappie plus chicken and rice complete meal, tins of gravy mix, Whiskas and Felix cat milk.

The spokeswoman added:"We are very grateful for any donations of food, blankets, duvets and cash to help the animals this winter."

Anyone who can help can take donations along to the shelter or give them a ring on 01204-526486.