DOGS and cats in an animal rescue centre will have a happier Christmas this year thanks to Wellington schoolboy Edward Richbell.

Eight-year-old Edward, who lives in Humphreys Road and attends St John’s Primary School, has been buying and collecting items such as food, blankets, toys, and treats to give to the St Giles Animal rescue centre, near Taunton.

Edward, who has a five-year-old border terrier Tanner, has saved pocket money for his appeal and for every £1 he gives, his mother Charlotte Richbell doubles it.

Charlotte said: “Edward has got such a big heart it is ridiculous, he loves helping the animals.

“He started when he picked up a leaflet in a supermarket asking for donations for St Giles and he started asking questions about rescue centres and if the dogs stayed over Christmas and said we should get them some presents. He saves up his pocket money and buys things he thinks the animals will like. At the moment he is enjoying building things out of Lego and says when he grows up he might want to build homes for people.”

It is the third year Edward has been helping the rescue centre’s animals and this time he has joined forces with staff from the sterile services department of Musgrove Park Hospital after he saw on social media that they were similarly collecting items for St Giles.

The hospital staff collection was led by Carla Toth, of Stoneleigh, Wellington, who posted on social media after receiving support from the town’s pet food shop Paws and Claws, in High Street.

The items they have together collected will be delivered tomorrow (Saturday) to the animal charity, which has rehomed more than 2,000 animals since it started 12 years ago.

Previously, Edward and Charlotte have also given Christmas boxes to Taunton homelessness charity ARC, and Operation Christmas Child.