A CELEBRITY auctioneer has been announced as the new patron of a county animal rescue centre.

Philip Serrell, who has featured on BBC shows Bargain Hunt, Flog It, and the Antiques Road Trip, says he is “delighted” to support the Worcestershire Animal Rescue Shelter, based in Malvern.

The auctioneer, who is also based in Malvern, visited the shelter last October, and was asked in March if he would like to be one of their patrons.

He said he was “delighted to have been asked” and wished to play an active part in the animal charity which rehomes abandoned dogs and cats.

Claire Tregunna, shelter manager, said: “Being a small independent charity, it is extremely difficult to raise funds to continue our work. However, it is hoped with having such a well-known celebrity as a patron it will help raise our profile and bring in much needed monies.”

Mr Serrell joins Lady Morrison, a current patron of the charity, to help raise the profile and give support of Worcestershire Animal Rescue Shelter.

The charity was formed in 1983 and opened its doors to take in unwanted and abandoned animals in 2001.

In 2016 it took in and rehomed 114 dogs, 108 cats and more than 300 battery hens.

Worcester Animal Rescue Centre is run by a small number of staff and volunteers, all of which work tirelessly to ensure the charity continues to move forward.