HUNDREDS of animals will be staying in the Vale after a deal was struck between the owner of an Evesham sanctuary and landlords.

After more than a year of uncertainty the future of the Animal Farm Sanctuary in Middle Littleton, near Evesham, is now safe – at least for another three years.

Janet Taylor, owner of the sanctuary at Manor Orchard Farm, which houses more than 600 animals, said after months of talks she had secured a three-year lease with the landowners, giving time to raise the money needed to buy the land.

She said: “We now have a lease agreement for three years.

“We are going to be signing that in October. I feel a bit happier about it. We still have to raise the funds to buy the land. We have already raised £150,000 but we need in total £450,000. We will be constantly fundraising.

“It is a huge relief. It does means we know what we are doing and are safe and secure for three years.

“We can concentrate now on fund raising and the animals.”

Ms Taylor is now continuing with the fundraising efforts and on Sunday the sanctuary is having an open day.

“We have invited other charities along to raise money for all of us,” said Ms Taylor. “There will be a chance to see the animals and we have just welcomed a new lamb, Logan, brought in from the Yorkshire moors.

”We will also have signed photos from Joanna Lumley as she is not able to come along.”

The event will run from 1.30pm to 5pm and it will cost £1 for adults, 50p for 10 to 16-year-olds and under-10s go free.

The event will also mark the start of a sealed bid auction for a signed photgraph of Joanna Lumley – the charity’s patron – and an autographed script from Absolutely Fabulous.

The auction will continue on the charity’s website until Tuesday, October 1.

To help the farm, text donate £5 or £10 to 70070 and message text HOME65 £10 or £5 or visit justgiving.com/ saveoursanctuary.