SIR - I am very sad to see that Veronica of Wotton Animal Rescue Centre is closing down. This wonderful girl has devoted the past 28 years to caring for abused and abandoned animals.

She has worked day and night trying to make money by car boot sales, collecting in all types of weather and tombola at charity functions. She is always there for money for vets' bills and food. In 1994 she received an honours award for the West. She was contacted by David Bellamy from BBC Animal Country, also unsung heroes of the West Country.

I'm sure the people and traders of Wotton-under-Edge, Dursley, Berkeley, Thornbury, Yate and numerous other towns will be like me, distressed at the closing of this wonderful rescue centre, the only one around.

What will happen to all the abandoned animals now, especially at this time of the year when so many cats and dogs get thrown out to make room for new ones?

P M Long Hankerton Malmesbury