Workers at an animal sanctuary in Flintshire say the centre is "full to bursting" with unwanted pets thrown out between Christmas and the New Year.

North Clwyd Animal Rescue, in Trelogan, has nearly 130 dogs on site all needing new homes.

On Christmas Day we actually had a lady phone saying she wanted to get rid of her dog, he wasn't even a new pet Dave Saxon sanctuary manager

Centre manager Dave Saxon said 2002 had been one of the charity's busiest years with the number of animals dumped reaching record levels.

"Christmas itself has not been all that bad but leading up to Christmas was horrendous," he said.

"It's been way in excess of previous years.

The sanctuary is "full to bursting"

"Just before Christmas we took in 14 dogs in one day.

"On Christmas Day we actually had a lady phone saying she wanted to get rid of her dog - he wasn't even a new pet.

"The Christmas period is a difficult time and we can't even think about bringing anymore animals in from the public until we have rehoused at least 40.

"A lot this year have been old dogs so it could be a case of out with the old and in with the new."

New homes

Stray animals are brought in by North Wales Police and wardens from Flintshire and Denbighshire councils.

The first stray brought in for 2003 was a puppy border collie.

The sheepdog has been called Flint after the town he was found in.

Mr Saxon said he is a lovely animal: "Flint was found on New Year's Eve and he's lively, faithful and full of fun."

Last year the rescue centre - which relies on charitable donations and adoption fees to keep running found new homes for 849 animals.

Any members of the public interested in offering Flint or any of the other animals home must be vetted first.

"We try to pick the right dog for the right people," said Mr Saxon.