RSPCA fundrasers in East Lancashire have had to cancel their annual ball due to a lack of ticket sales.

Donations were expected to help the charity at the event on Friday October 20.

Providing rescue services and respite for dogs, cats and some small animals across East Lancashire the branch now has to focus on fundraising alternatives.

Ken Harrison, branch manager at RSPCA, Altham, said that over the past six months bosses at the branch off Enfield Road, have seen a fall in donations.

He said: “We found that the majority of people can’t afford to pay for the taxis and drinks that go with a night out anymore so we had to cancel. Hopefully we can raise more money another way. It usually works when people use the safe haven scheme and donate a certain amount each month.”

People who paid £35 for a ticket at The Dunkenhalgh Hotel, Clayton-le-Moors, have now been refunded.

The charity is one of 170 RSPCA branches in England and Wales that are individual charities, who operate independently from the National Society.

But despite the decrease in donations, and a cancelled event, Ken said that that ‘kind-hearted’ people in East Lancashire donate money at Christmas time.

He said: “It is a shame that we have had to cancel because it would have been a good source of income for us.

“But we do aim to do the christmas raffle and raise money in other ways. The past few months have been quiet, which in the run-up to December it’s always quiet. It’s nice to know that people remember us around Christmas time.

“We have a lot of kind donations then and if it isn’t money we will receive lots of food for the animals.”