DOGS are not just for Christmas but you can still give them the paw-fect gift this year.

For the first time in its 100-year history, the RSPCA Bury and Oldham branch is set to host a Christmas fair with the chance to adopt animals with nowhere else to go.

The event will take place at the branch’s headquarters in Oldham, at the Strinesdale Animal Centre this Sunday, November 17, starting from 10am and ending at 4pm.

The centre opened its doors back in 2017 and has rehomed more than 500 animals since. It also has a clinic that has given veterinary care, neutering and microchip services to more than 2500 animals since opening.

But, it costs a whopping £850 a day to keep the doors open for all of their furry visitors and Lindsey Keating, office manager at the branch, has called on the people of Oldham to take a visit to the upcoming fundraising event.

“We are very excited to be hosting our first ever Christmas Fair," she said.

"We are really looking forward to welcoming lots of visitors - human and canine alike - to help us celebrate the start of the Christmas period and support our fundraising efforts.

“Our new range of Christmas cards will also be on sale, with all proceeds going straight to help the animals at our centre.”

There are currently 18 cats at the centre, along with Mickey, a three-legged terrier, all hoping for a new home by Christmas.

The fair will be open for all members of the public, regardless of age, and will feature a dog show for which visitors are encouraged to bring their own furry friends.

Oldham’s Mayor, Ginny Alexander, is set to be attending the event and will be judging several of the show classes, including ‘Most Handsome Male’, ‘Wiggliest Tail’ and ‘Best OAP’.

The day also promises a wide variety of craft stalls for visitors to browse for gifts and Christmas decorations, a chance to win prizes in the tombola, fun face painting and seasonal games and lots of refreshments to enjoy.

All funds raised from the Christmas fair will be used to help animals that visit the centre and reside there.

Find out more about the fair and the animals waiting for you there by reaching out to the RSPCA branch for Bury and Oldham.

For more information on the RSPCA, visit the group's website at www.rspcaburyoldham.org.uk.