Teckels Animal Sanctuary has been nominated for best rescue centre in the country at the Animal Star Awards this month.

The Whitminster cat and dog rescue is one of 12 nominees in the category hoping to win, after a total of 400 sanctuaries were nominated for the awards.

The awards, postponed due to the pandemic, recognise people, animals and charities doing extraordinary things for each other.

“It’s amazing for us to receive this nomination, we’re really grateful,” said Skye Wardle, who has worked as a kennel and cattery assistant at Teckels for the last year.

“We’re delighted because we are a small, local, independent rescue. We don’t get any government funding, we are purely run on donations and public support so to be recognised for the work we do and how hard it’s been over lockdown, with all the extra animals, is really nice.”

She said that during the pandemic, the rescue has taken in more animals due to members of the public suffering financially or going to hospital.

“We try to say yes to as many animals in need as we can. We try to never turn animals away and if we can’t take anymore rescue dogs or cats we will try to find somewhere that will.”

'Best rescue' will be decided by judges from the category's sponsor, Agria Pet Insurance, who also sponsor Crufts.

The virtual awards ceremony, which runs from 6pm to 8pm on March 28, will include entertainment, music, raffle and celebrity guests.

Asked how she would feel if they won, Ms Wardle said: “It would mean everything, it would be absolutely amazing to be recognised as one of the best rescue centres in the country, being just a small rescue in a little countryside village in Gloucestershire. It would be a massive honour.”

Tickets include a charity donation and access to a private Facebook group where the event can be viewed via phone, tablet or smart TV.

There will also be a competition on the awards' Instagram page with a prize for the best dressed household.