An animal refuge has helped about 750 furry friends this year - including a lucky cat called Mr Squawkypants.

The unusually-named cuddly character is one of nearly 440 cats that have come under the care of staff at a centre, near Penrith.

The Animals' Refuge at Wetheral Shields has also helped 203 dogs and 53 horses.

As well as this, it has come to the aid of 55 smaller animals and farm animals.

Bosses say this means it has had a successful 2016 - and have thanked people for their support and urged them to continue backing them.

Although no-one is giving away the reason for his distinctive name, staff say Mr Squawkypants is "quite a character".

Refuge bosses add he had been living as an outdoor cat for several weeks.

Rachel Griffiths, chair of trustees, gave the background to his case.

Mr Squawkypants, she said, was believed to be a stray cat and was in need of looking after.

She said: “With no microchip and no response to the paper message collar fitted, we are now pretty certain that he is a lost cat and needs to go into care.

"I know that our team will help him find a new and loving home very soon.

"It is great to know that we have been able to help another animal in need within our local community."

She spoke of her pride in the staff that they had managed to help as many animals as they had.

Their professional way of working had been crucial in coming to the aid of the pets.

“It is a great credit to our staff, that their professional approach to animal welfare has helped us reach this fantastic number of animals in 2016," she added.

Every year the refuge helps hundreds of animals in need through its community outreach and re-homing programmes.

Through these programmes, staff offer pro-active assistance and promote responsible pet ownership through up-to-date advice and education.

The service provided is constantly changing, depending on the needs of the community and its animals, at any specific time.

The refuge also operates with the aim of being accessible to everyone, allowing it to reach and help the largest number of animals possible.

A spokesman said the refuge would like to thank the community for its continued support.

This, he added, was vital in enabling the charity to help animals.

The Animals’ Refuge is officially the National Equine (and Smaller Animals) Defence League.

It was established in 1909 to campaign for the better treatment of the UK’s 72,000 pit ponies and working horses.

More than 100 years later, the focus of the charity has changed considerably.

It now cares for and re-homes hundreds domestic petsr.

It has no government funding or lottery grants - and the charity relies on the support of the community to meet its needs.

To find out more about the refuge, visit www.animalsrefuge.co.uk