The RSPCA’s Birmingham Animal Centre in Frankley Green became isolated when snow started to fall on Friday last week, after the country lanes leading towards it became dangerous to drive on.

But it didn’t deter the dedicated staff, many of who decided to walk on the ice and snow to get to work, with some walking as far as two miles in the freezing cold wind and six-inch snow.

Some staff even stayed overnight at the site, despite being unprepared and not bringing anything with them - purely to ensure that the 39 dogs and 80 cats at the centre could still be looked after.

Deborah Caffull, manager of the centre, said: “With the adverse snow and ice from Friday until Thursday, my team went above and beyond to make sure animals at the centre were cared for.

“The country roads that lead to the centre were dangerous to drive on, making access very limiting for staff to get to work. But I had staff walk into work covering at least two miles, and some staff stayed unprepared on site so they could be available to attend work the next day.

“We had staff coming in early to make the centre as safe as possible to work in and exercise the dogs, provide daily enrichment and make sure they all had clean and warm bedding for the cold nights.

“Even with all the extra work. I still saw smiles on all their faces - and it was obvious the dogs appreciated it too!

“Overall there was minimal impact on the animal's daily routine and that was all down to the team and there pure dedication to make sure the work was carried out.

“This just goes to show how truly passionate RSPCA staff are about animal welfare.”

There’s a magical winter wonderland at hospice supporter Dave Edwards’ house as he’s switched on 25,000 Christmas lights to raise money for two charities over the festive period.

Dave and his family have lit up their home and garden in Cheltenham Drive, Bromford, in the hope of collecting £1,000 for Birmingham’s John Taylor Hospice and the Alzheimer’s Society in Birmingham and Solihull.

The 26-year-old business owner has held his own illuminations for more than a decade and his sparkling displays have raised thousands of pounds for charities.

This is the third time Dave has chosen John Taylor Hospice to be a beneficiary of the extravaganza which features penguins, snowmen, reindeer, polar bears and, of course, Father Christmas.

It takes months of planning and weeks of installation to launch the spectacle which also includes a programmed light show in time to popular festive hits. The lights show is open until 1 January and all Dave asks in return is a donation to the chosen charities.

“I started working on it at the beginning of October but I don’t mind - it’s worth it because so many people enjoy it,” said Dave. “It all stems from a love of lights as a child. We used to go around and see people’s lights as a family and then we got one set, then two sets – and now we have 25,000 lights!”

Dave held his first illuminated extravaganza when he was just a teenager and each year he adds a little extra. And he’s keen for his hard work to raise money for local charities.

“This year’s I’ve chosen John Taylor Hospice and the Alzheimer’s Society, both for personal reasons because friends and family have been supported by them,” he said.

“We’d love as many people as possible to come and the lights will be on every day until 1 January. If we’re here, we will also open the garden so people can come in but, if not, you can still see them over the fence. The lights and music show is until 8pm and then the lights stay on until 10pm. I’m hoping to raise £1,000 this year so we’d ask everyone, if they can, to donate.”

John Taylor Hospice Community Fundraising Manager Kerry McGrath urged local people to support Dave’s efforts. “Dave does an amazing job putting the lights show together and raising so much money for worthy causes including his local hospice John Taylor,” she said. “We are really grateful to him for choosing to support John Taylor Hospice again – his hard work is helping us make all the difference for local families.”

Dave is one of many people across the city supporting John Taylor’s Gift a Christmas campaign which is aiming to raise £15,000 – enough to pay for all of the hospice’s services on Christmas Day.

As well as visiting Dave’s lights, people can support Gift a Christmas in a host of ways including buying hospice Christmas cards, holding a Christmas Jumper Day, organising a festive coffee morning or making donations in lieu of cards.

With just weeks to go until Christmas, Birmingham’s National Sea Life Centre is reminding people about the importance of responsible exotic pet ownership.

Often readily available in high street pet shops and considered the perfect festive gift by unassuming owners, terrapin turtles can be too challenging to take care of without sufficiently detailed research going into the challenges owning one requires.

James McElroy, Lead Reptile Keeper at the aquarium, said: “In the new year we are often inundated with calls about re-homing unwanted terrapins and turtles.

“Unfortunately it is becoming a more frequent occurrence at this time of year as animals are becoming more readily bought as Christmas gifts. Often people might not fully understand the challenges of looking after an exotic pet, and they buy young animals thinking they are cute and small, without considering the fact that these animals will often live for over 30 years, and require specialist tanks and equipment.”

In the early 1990s turtles became popular pets for fans of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle cartoon television series, which led to hundreds of boating lakes, canals and waterways in towns and cities becoming populated with terrapins and small turtles. As a result of the pet-trade, red-eared-slider turtles in particular are now considered to be one of the world's 100 most invasive species.

The specialist care for turtles can be underestimated prior to purchase, including the sheer size of the creatures. As baby turtles, the size of just a 50p coin, grow to mature adults the size of dinner plates, they develop more sophisticated dietary and accommodation needs, and it is at this point that they are more likely to become abandoned by owners unable to cope.

The National Sea Life Centre in Birmingham homes four species of terrapin, more than 50% of which were donated by the public as unwanted pets. Now full to capacity, the animal care team is urging people to give careful consideration before purchasing an exotic pet.

With Christmas around the corner, Edinburgh's landmark building at the top of the Royal Mile is Christmas ready.

The 12 foot Christmas tree in Cafe Hub provides a cheery atmosphere welcoming visitors to celebrate the holiday season with a festive themed afternoon tea for two, including seasonal favourites like homemade mince pies.

The new offering, designed for two people, offers the perfect opportunity to relax and take stock following a day of Christmas shopping on Edinburgh's Royal Mile and Old Town.

To accompany the delicate festive treats, guests can choose from a selection of artisan loose teas including earl grey, apple and cinnamon, Scottish rooibos, chocolate chilli explosion or freshly ground coffee.  The afternoon tea can also be enjoyed with a glass of prosecco.

Head Chef Denis Zominy said: “Afternoon tea sits between lunch and dinner just like The Hub sits between the castle and Holyrood Palace. When you need a little holiday indulgence at the half-way point we have the place to do it, and now the perfect refreshment as well.”

Vegetarian and gluten-free options are also be available if booked in advance.

Also on the festive menu for the holiday season is mulled wine, to warm up in this winter weather, coffee and two mince pies, and a apple winter warmer as a non-alcoholic alternative.

An innovative campaign enabling those who feel vulnerable in pubs and clubs to discreetly approach staff and get help is being launched in the City of Wolverhampton.

The Ask for Angela initiative, which will be operating at a number of pubs and clubs in the city centre, aims to reduce sexual violence and vulnerability by providing customers with a phrase they can use if they find themselves in an unsafe situation.

It encourages people to go to the bar and "Ask for Angela", which will alert staff to their cry for help and mean they can take action to defuse the situation. They will take the individual to one side or to a safer location away from the person causing the problem so that they can speak in confidence to staff about the situation and any help they may need.

Staff are encouraged to take action as appropriate, perhaps calling a taxi for the individual, contacting their friends or family or requesting that the person causing the distress – either through their actions, words or behaviour – leaves the venue.

Twelve pubs in Wolverhampton have already signed up for the scheme, launched by the City of Wolverhampton Council, West Midlands Police and Wolverhampton Pubwatch, including the Plough and Harrow, Lych Gate Tavern, Chicago Rock Cafe, Wheatsheaf, Old Still, Yates Wolverhampton, Hogshead, Slaters, Bohemian, Grain Store, Dog and Doublet and The Royal London.

Councillor Paul Sweet, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "We want people to have a great time and feel safe and comfortable when they are out and about in our City's pubs and clubs, and this is a simple yet effective scheme which empowers them to seek help if they are feeling at all vulnerable by raising their concerns with staff.

"People might find themselves in the company of someone who is not who they seemed, and may want to get away from them safely and without any fuss. By going to the bar and asking for 'Angela', staff will be able to make sure this happens and help prevent the situation from becoming more serious.

"I would like to thank the pubs and clubs which are already part of the Ask for Angela scheme, and would encourage others to sign up so that people who find themselves in unsafe situations know they can get help in the event they need it.

“It is particularly appropriate that we are launching Ask for Angela during the Orange Wolverhampton campaign in support of the United Nations’ 16 days of activism to end violence against women and girls, as this is an excellent tool to help tackle gender-based violence.”

Donna Boden, General Manager at Yates Wolverhampton and Chair of Wolverhampton Pubwatch, said: “Ask for Angela is a great idea which will support young females who are feeling vulnerable. It’s great to see so many local businesses and networks coming together to a support such a fantastic scheme.”

Wolverhampton is only the third area in the country to offer the service, which was originally devised by Lincolnshire County Council.