ACTRESS Felicity Kendal was joined by her cocker spaniel George and a film crew to boost an Oxfordshire animal adoption centre.

The Good Life star was filming a BBC Lifeline appeal at the Blue Cross centre in Burford, which will be broadcast tomorrow and repeated again next week.

A strong supporter of the charity, which also has a centre in Lewknor, south Oxfordshire, Ms Kendal said: “I’m delighted to be able to help publicise the work of this wonderful charity.

“The Blue Cross does so much to help animals in need and they rely almost entirely on public donations.

“I hope lots of people watch the BBC appeal to see just where the money goes and why this is a charity worthy of their support.”

The appeal aims to raise funds for the charity, which has 20 staff at Burford and looks after dozens of dogs, cats, horses and rodents.

During the programme, viewers will be introduced to three animal lovers who have been helped by the Blue Cross.

One of them, Gaye Robinson, from Swindon, is a life-long dog lover whose severe arthritis has left her confined to a wheelchair.

Blue Cross spokesman Louise Lee explained: “She lives alone and used to feel lonely and isolated, but then she went to the Blue Cross animal adoption centre in Burford and asked them to find her a dog for companionship who would be suitable for someone in her condition.

“Since taking home sprightly Yorkshire terrier Mac her life has been transformed.”

As the Oxford Mail reported earlier this year, the Blue Cross had received 30 per cent more pets in the first three months of this year compared with the same period in the previous year, largely due to the recession.

As well as upping the number of animals at the centres, the economic downturn also hit donations to the charity.

Nikki Smith, Blue Cross centre manager in Burford said: “This is a wonderful opportunity to show people the important work the Blue Cross does to help animals, but also how we help people, too.

“I hope lots of people watch the film as it might encourage them to come to the centre and see what a difference a homeless animal can really make to their lives.”

The BBC Lifeline appeal featuring The Blue Cross will appear tomorrow at 4.25pm on BBC1 and be repeated on Wednesday, October 28, at 2pm on BBC2.

The appeal can also be viewed online at bbc.co.uk/lifeline To find out more about the Blue Cross centre visit bluecross.org.uk