STAFF at an Aberystwyth pet shop have helped raise almost £1,500 for charities which support rescued animals.

Aberystwyth has proven that it is a town of pet lovers after Pets At Home staff helped raise £1,448.50 for the chain’s annual Santa Paws appeal.

The money will be split equally between Animal Rescue Cymru and Support Adoption For Pets.

Throughout December, customers shopping in more than 440 Pets At Home stores across the UK were encouraged to donate 50p to help provide a Christmas dinner for pets spending Christmas in a rescue centre.

The annual Santa Paws fundraising appeal, set out to raise enough money to fund a record-breaking 2.4 million Christmas dinners for abandoned pets over the holidays, and successfully surpassed this target, reaching almost three million dinners.

Support Adoption For Pets fundraising manager Amy Wilson said: “It’s amazing to see that so many people were able to come together and make Christmas special by donating a dinner for those pets without a loving forever home.

“We would like to thank the residents of Aberystwyth who made a donation. Their help has brought Christmas cheer and love into the lives of pets who need it most.”

See this week’s south papers for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition on Wednesday