BLEAKHOLT Animal Sanctuary is expanding by opening a new shop.

The Edenfield sanctuary, which cares for dogs, cats and small animals, is opening a new charity shop in Bury — at Princess Parade, Mill Gate Shopping Centre.

The charity relies on donations to keep going and already has a successful shop in Bridge Street, Ramsbottom.

Bury-born actress Gemma Atkinson thinks the new shop is a great idea. The former Hollyoaks star, who has raised more than £30,000 for the sanctuary by winning the celebrity version of quiz show The Chase, has supported the charity for many years.

She said: “It is great to have a Bleakholt shop in my home town.

“Animals have no voice so we have to speak up for them — and this new shop will help to raise even more funds to help the animals at Bleakholt.”

The sanctuary, which celebrates its 60th birthday next year, has come a long way since it opened and has expanded over the years, welcoming hundreds of different animals. In addition to caring for dogs, cats and small animals it also has horses, donkeys, goats and pigs that live at the 55-acre site in Edenfield near Ramsbottom.

The new Bury shop is due to open next month. The sanctuary is on the hunt for an assistant-manager for the shop and volunteers to help out. Until the new shop opens, customers will be able to visit the current Ramsbottom shop daily from 10am until 4pm. The Bleakholt shop on the sanctuary site is open daily, selling Bleakholt-branded gifts.

Anybody interested in joining the team at the new shop should email manager@bleakholt.org. Donations of stock are needed — see bleakholt.org for details.