A HAMPSHIRE cat charity which is marking its 30th anniversary this year could face closure in 12 months unless it finds a major new source of funding.

Lymington Cat & Kitten Rescue Centre founder Janette Frankland is currently looking after 67 animals and the cost of food, litter and veterinary bills is about £1,500 a week.

“The cats are living on the last legacy,” said Mrs Frankland. She said the centre would be in serious trouble when that money was gone in about a year’s time.

The charity, which has actress Susan Hampshire as its patron, has run a shop at Pennington since 2002 and has recently opened a second at Milford thanks to a £5,000 donation. The situation remains critical.

“This should have been a landmark year, but looking ahead there is a real danger we may have to shut unless we can increase our income,” said Mrs Frankland.

“It’s a heartbreaking prospect and we need to pull out all the stops to keep going.”

The situation has been made worse by the economic climate which has forced some owners to give up keeping their pets and the recent closures of three other rescue organisations in the area.

The charity, in Highfield Avenue, Lymington, accepts cats from the New Forest, Bournemouth and Southampton.