THE RSPCA is bracing itself for the busiest day in the Christmas period.

According to the animal welfare charity, December 11 was the busiest day last year, with 2,640 calls received to the 24-hour emergency helpline - from a total of 55,821 throughout December.

In North Yorkshire alone, the charity received 866 calls in December, 2,524 over the winter - between December 1 and February 28.

Staff are preparing for an increase in calls throughout the month and over the Christmas and New Year period, and the charity has appealed to the public to help cover some of the costs it faces over the holidays.

Chris Sherwood, RSPCA chief executive, said: "The RSPCA is a charity but we work 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to ensure that there is always someone available to help an animal in need. This Christmas is no different and we’re expecting thousands of members of public to contact our emergency hotline over the holidays asking for help.

"That’s why we’ve launched our Kindness At Christmas fundraising appeal to help cover some of the costs we’ll face this winter. A donation of just £3.80 help us answer a call for help while £15 helps us keep an inspector on the road for a day."

To donate, go to rspca.org.uk/giftofkindness