Readers have raised £5,000 to help save the last wildlife animal hospital in London from closure.

The Enfield Independent launched a campaign in November to raise the cash for the Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service in Trent Country Park, which was struggling financially.

Cash was low when visitor numbers dropped due to last year's cold weather, but the money will take the pressure off the centre's running costs until the weather warms up.

Owners Barry and June Smitherman were concerned when the donations slowed after Christmas, but a reader called last week to donate the £600 missing from the target.

Mr Smitherman, who also relies on a team of volunteers, thanked the generosity of our readers and said it is “fantastic” they have raised the much-needed money.

Fears were raised in November that the animal hospital could be forced to close in January if money was not urgently sourced to get the charity back on track.

The animal centre - which relies on donations and £10,000 per year from Enfield Borough Council - treats trapped, abandoned or injured wild animals in its hospital before nurturing them on site if possible.

More than 200 animals including goats, sheep, birds, pigs and horses are just some of the species who have found permanent refuge at the centre.