A PETITION calling for an animal sanctuary to be shut down after 'appalling conditions' were discovered has passed 1,000 signatures.

Animal lovers are calling on the RSPCA to close the Didcot Animal Sanctuary, which has now moved to near Wallingford.

Images of the mess left when the charity changed sites led many to call for its immediate closure because it was 'not a safe environment for any animal.'

The petition, which was started a week ago, says "We cannot let this happen again. We need to get them shut down."

Owners David and Julia Vaughan, who have faced mounting criticism for their running of the sanctuary, insist they have done nothing wrong.