TWO animal centres are to receive a surprise cash windfall after a benefactor left them a share of his estate, valued at more than £500,000.

Edwin Charles Hawkes, of Devonshire Close, Amersham, died in June last year leaving his estate to be divided between a total of five charities.

The Blue Cross Animal Home, Grassingham End, Chalfont St Peter, and the Chiltern Dog Rescue Society, of Hogg Lane, Ashley Green, both stand to receive a significant lump sum.

Mr Hawkes is not known to staff at either of the centres but it is thought he may have been linked to the centres in the past.

Manager Anne Rowan, of the Blue Cross centre which cares for more than 100 cats, hamsters and other small animals, said: "Of course this donation is wonderful and fantastic. The centre has been going for over 60 years and Mr Hawkes may have been somebody who had an animal from us but it would have been quite some time ago because the name doesn't ring a bell."

She added: "We've got a waiting list for animals to come into the centre we always need more funds and we do get quite a lot of them from legacies and covenants."

David Lewis, of the Chiltern Dog Rescue Society, welcomed news of the cash but with caution. Mr Lewis said he did not want people to think the centre has ample funds when, in fact, it always needs more.

He added: "The charity relies on generous donations from the public to continue its work in caring for the dogs. It works very hard to raise the enormous sums of money required to take care of the thousands of dogs that need our help."

If you would like to make a donation to the Chilterns Dog Rescue Society or the Blue Cross Animal Home call (01442) 876009 or (01753) 882560 respectively.