Cheltenham Animal Shelter will throw open its doors on Friday for its annual Christmas Festive Evening.

The shelter, on Gardners Lane off Swindon Road, is offering the chance to meet Santa as well as some of the animals available for rehoming.

Entertainment will be provided by the Gotherington Singers and Winds of Change Orchestra and there will be stalls full of Christmas present ideas for pets and their owners.

Refreshments will come from a barbecue, hot drinks as well as mince pies and mulled wine, while Hartpury College will be attending with a selection exotic animals.

A celebration tree will provide visitors with a way of hanging a bauble in memory of a loved pet or celebrate the life of a current furry family member for a small donation.

A bottle tombola and raffle with prizes including shopping vouchers, Cheltenham Town FC match tickets, a Batsford Arboretum family pass and a luxury beauty hamper will also be on offer.

Shelter manager, Pete Newcombe said: "Our festive evening is a fun, free event for all the family and all the money raised will support our vital work looking after the animals who rely on us.

"Bathed in Christmas candle-light and twinkling lights, the Shelter takes on a magical atmosphere that will get you into the Christmas spirit."

Parking is free at the Folly car park at the top of the road, plus Gardners Lane Children's Centre.

The animal shelter is grateful to Portman Dental Care, IIC and G, Paish Tooth, Hooray Recruitment, Dowdeswell Forestry, HESA, Office Worx and Graay for their support for the evening.

The Gloucestershire Animal Welfare Association and Cheltenham Animal Shelter has been helping animals since 1926.

The charity rescues and rehomes around 600 unwanted, surrendered and abandoned cats, dogs and small animals from across Gloucestershire every year, at a cost of more than £650,000.

Receiving no government funding, the Shelter relies on donations from the public and the generosity of local businesses and grant-making trusts.

The Family Festive Evening will run from 5pm until 7pm on Friday, December 6.