GARSTON Vets clients across Wiltshire are helping bushfire victims in Australia by collecting woollen items for the animals.

For the past two weeks, the firm’s branches in Trowbridge, Warminster, Westbury and Frome have provided a local collection point for people who wish to drop off hand-made items that will be sent to assist those caring for animals Down Under.

In total, the firm’s veterinary branches have received more than 300 woollen pouches, wraps and nests.

Sarah Holmes, veterinary marketing manager for Garston Vets, said: “One of our Warminster nurses is a keen crocheter and she saw a Facebook post asking for businesses in Wiltshire, Somerset and Dorset to become drop-off points so she asked if I thought that it would be possible which I did.

“I was not totally surprised by the number of items donated as I had already seen a few different appeals on the BBC news.

“I was more surprised about the quality of everything that we received. These crafters had really made their items with love.”

She added: “A huge thank you once again to everyone who so kindly donated their time and materials to make such beautiful items for the animal crisis in Australia.

“It is very clear to see that our clients and their friends love animals as much as we do.”

Longleat Safari Park keepers delivered the first bags to Minton Farm in South Australia on January 11.

Two Longleat keepers, Graeme Dick and James Dennis, flew out to Australia with the first delivery.

Graeme Dick, head of animal adventure at Longleat, said: “We took across the knitted goods that your clients made for the Australian bush fire relief. “Yesterday, we delivered these to Minton Farm Animal Rescue. They have this morning sent these out to kangaroo island to help those on the front line fire ground.

“A huge thank you to everyone who made these and dropped them off at Garston Vets.

“We are very happy to hand these over to the teams out here that so desperately needed.”

Volunteers at UK Crafter’s for Australia Animal Rescue’s South West hub have also been busy providing patterns and collecting all of the donations from the very many drop-off points around the region.