Animal rescue charity the Celia Hammond Animal Trust has benefited from the donation of a tumble dryer to its Lewisham clinic.

The trust provides care and refuge for rescued and neglected animals across London and the south east, as well as neutering and vaccination clinics and a rehoming programme.

The charity was most notably involved in the rescue of more than 200 Yorkshire terriers found in appalling conditions and a state of severe neglect at a puppy farm in Sussex earlier this year.

A visit by a service technician to the charity's Lewisham branch to fix its old tumble dryer revealed that the machine was beyond repair.

On discovering that the charity did not have the funds available to purchase a new appliance, Selectric - a supplier of commercial laundry and dishwashing equipment across south London - decided to donate a Miele Professional T 5206 machine which had recently been refurbished following removal from the Royal Opera House.

Celia Hammond said: "As a charity we spend as much of our income as possible directly on our rescue work and the care of our animals, trying to keep our maintenance costs to a minimum, so when Selectric approached us with the offer of a Miele machine we were overjoyed.

"At the Lewisham clinic we neuter 150 cats and dogs each week, and have a constant stream of animals arriving following rescue, and awaiting rehoming.

"Due to this, our washing machines and tumble dryers are in constant use, and it's important that they are as reliable and efficient as possible."

Peter Hemmings, from Selectric, added: "We were delighted to be able to help a local charity and provide a high-quality appliance which meets their drying needs, and are glad that our contribution will aid them in continuing the fantastic work they carry out in the Lewisham area."