The recession has been blamed for a drop in financial support for an animal charity.

The RSPCA animal shelter in Altham has been forced to cancel a masquerade ball because of poor ticket sales.

Branch manager Ken Harrison said everyone at the centre was ‘really disappointed’ and blamed the response on the current financial climate.

Money raised from the event was due to go towards the running costs of the shelter which takes in and re-homes mistreated or neglected animals across East Lancashire.

Last year’s Halloween Ball attracted around 140 people and raised more than £3,000, however this year fewer than 60 tickets had been sold.

Mr Harrison said fundraising volunteers had been working hard to create an unforgettable evening and it was ‘real shame’ to have to cancel.

He said: “We held a ball last year and it was a fantastic success, but this year, we are really getting the sense that the economy is not right for such events, people simply have not got the money. We are a completely independent local charity and rely on the kindness and goodwill of local people and businesses to raise funds.”

He added: “We really have to work hard for every penny we raise so that we can carry out our animal welfare work in the area.

“But we are seeing a very worrying drop in financial support, and the masquerade ball has had to be cancelled as a result of this. We apologise for any disappointment to those who were looking forward to it.”

The ball was due to be held on Saturday, October 20 at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel in Clayton-le-Moors.

Mr Harrison said they will now concentrate their fundraising efforts on a sponsorship scheme called Safe Haven where members of the public can sponsor a kennel, cat pen or rabbit run at the centre from £3 per month.

He said: “We recognise that the animal-loving public, our supporters, are hard pressed financially. We think that asking for regular, smaller donations is the way forward.”