AN animal centre under threat of closure had a busy weekend as sick and injured animals were brought in for treatment and care.

The London Wildcare Field Centre, in Walpole Park, Ealing, took in a baby hedgehog, a frog which had been attacked, a coloured dove, and a baby coot, all brought in by members of the public.

The centre treats ill or injured wildlife from around north and west London, giving them medical aid, and either transferring them to a clinic in Croydon or keeping them at the centre in Ealing.

This weekend, a cockrel called Rupert became the newest resident of the popular centre.

He was found by a member of the public on Saturday, wandering the streets of Greenford in a very distressed state.

Rupert was taken to the centre where staff treated the cockrel, and ended up taking him in as a residents after it was realised he could not be returned to the wild.

The centre, which stopped being council-run four years ago, is under threat of closure this Christmas unless it can raise around £40,000.

The Ealing Times last week launched an appeal to save the animal centre, calling on local organisations, residents, and businesses to thrown their support behind the stricken centre.

It is run by charity London Wildcare Trust, which relies on donations and sponsorship to keep loking after and treating injured wildlife.

One of the most famous residents in Ealing is Merlin, a tawny owl which arrived at the centre when it opened ten years ago.

Merlin cannot be released back into the wild because he has become ‘imprinted’, or tame.

He lives in the animal centre in the park, which is open for the public to go and see the animals, alongside four foxes called Sheridan, Biscuit, Josh, and Timmy, as well as a host of other animals.

Anyone who wants to support the centre can send donations marked “Save Ealing's Animal Centre” to the charity's headquarters at: London Wildcare Trust, Beddington Park, Church Road, Wallington, Surrey. SM6 7NN.

For more information, call Clive Davis on 07753374628, or drop into the centre this weekend, when staff will be on hand to talk about the work the centre does.