A LOCAL charity is taking advantage of the new £5 note to help animals in need.

Blue Cross pet charity is appealing for animal-lovers to donate their first new note to help pets in need, including at its charity shop in Stow.

Anyone who gets their hands on one of the new polymer fivers and wants to get involved in the charity’s FirstFiver campaign can drop it into a Blue Cross rehoming centre, animal hospital or shop.

Helen Smith, Blue Cross Shop manager in Stow, said: “Blue Cross helps thousands of pets in need every year and is totally reliant on public donations.

“We thought a first fiver appeal would be a really fun way for our supporters to help more pets. The new fiver is said to be washing machine safe – let’s hope it’s designed to withstand pets too!”

Those who don’t live near a Blue Cross shop, rehoming centre or animal hospital can still donate £5 by texting FIRSTFIVER to 70660* or by visiting www.bluecross.org.uk/firstfiver.

The charity cares for 40,000 sick, injured and homeless pets each year.

The charity is asking people to get involved on social media too by sharing a photo of their pet with #FirstFiver when they donate.

The new plastic note, was released by the Bank of England two weeks ago.