Dozens of rescue animals are the latest victims of a West Coast road closure.

Mel James of Ani-Mel has had to resort to a public appeal for funds for her animal rescue charity after the closure of the Allonby to Silloth Road has stopped visitors to her family's Bank Mill Nurseries.

Mel, who is unable to turn away a sick or abandoned creature, said because there are no visitors, nobody is buying the books or bric-a-brac sold to support her charity and there is nobody sponsoring her animals.

"I don't want to use the word desperation because I will never let my animals go hungry. I can live on a chocolate bar and a packet of crisps if necessary, but they will be fed.

"I am starting to get desperate though, especially with spring coming when i will have an influx of baby birds, hedgehogs and so on."

Mel's menagerie includes a fox, ducks and chickens, horses, a Highland cow, cats, dogs, parrots, wild birds, hedgehogs and anything else that people bring to her door.

He feed bill alone last month was over £500. Because many of the animals abandoned or brought to her are sick or injured, she has vet bills on top of that.

"I have never asked for money before. People visiting the nursery do get a chance to sponsor an animal but nobody is ever asked for money. I don't like doing it now but I have to for the sake of the animals."

The B5300 coastal road between Allonby and Silloth was closed in February because of erosion.

Although Mawbray and Bank Mill Nurseries are able to be reached through back roads visitor numbers have declined dramatically since the road was closed.

Mel, who said she has lost count of the number of birds and animals in her care, said they will not starve as long as she is there but she added that financial help would be more than appreciated.

To help feed Mel's menagerie visit her Facebook page.