A HALFWAY house in the heart of Herefordshire is set to benefit temporary residents with a difference!

The feline fraternity will welcome a new place to rest their paws when Hereford Cats Protection opens the runs to its new shelter at Cobhall Villa in Allensmore on September 14 from 11am.

The state-of-the-art shelter which can house up to 80 cats, will be officially up and running starting with an open day where visitors can enjoy games, face painting, stalls, and country dancing displays.

Birds of prey and dog obedience will also keep the crowds entertained during the day, which falls at the end of national cat week.

Spokesperson for the Hereford branch, John Wilks said: "It's a busy time of year for us - we have some lovely cats and kittens in at the moment so we are hoping to find them new owners during the open day."

The shelter is the result of years of hard work by county volunteers.

"We are very fortunate that our cat rescue work is so well supported in the local area," explained Mr Wilks.

"The new shelter acts as a focal point for cat welfare services in the Hereford and will work closely with surrounding Cats Protection branches."

The shelter will be officially opened at 12.30pm by Clare Fischer from BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester.

Hereford Cats Protection is also organising a stall in the Buttermarket Hall, Hay-on-Wye selling Christmas cards, calendars and diaries from 9am to 3pm on September 11.

For further information call the shelter on 01432 277543.