A fundraising group for an animal charity may be forced to close because of a lack of volunteers.

Jean Dodds, treasurer of the Oxford Fundraising Group for the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), said she was one of only two members left in the 25-year-old organisation's Oxford group.

She said: "If we do not get volunteers we will have to call it a day this year.

"I shall be very sad if we have to stop. We have raised a significant amount of money over the years."

The PDSA is a national charity providing money for vet bills to people on low incomes.

The Oxford fundraising group has traditionally collected money from charity boxes and sold bric-a-brac at public fetes to raise funds.

Mrs Dodds, 73, from Cutteslowe, said the fundraising group raised an average of £3,000 a year when it had four to six volunteers, but over the past three years had collected just half that amount every 12 months.

She said: "We used to go out once every four to six weeks, but we haven't done anything this year at all.

"I only have one helper now and she wants to give up because she has had cancer and two hip operations.

"I need someone to help but they must have transport.

"It's a group that is very dear to my heart. I think the group has made an awful lot of difference."

There is a PDSA shop in Templars Square, Cowley, but that is separate to the group.

PDSA community fundraising manager Brenda Alexander said: "PDSA relies on animal lovers who donate their spare time to help raise funds to provide free veterinary treatment in the local area.

"Volunteers are extremely important to PDSA, as they play a vital role in raising the £4m needed every month to provide PetAid services.

"Whether you want to help out at PDSA dog shows, stalls and quiz nights, or have your own original fundraising ideas, PDSA will be delighted to welcome you."

For more information, call PDSA's National Volunteering Centre on freephone 0800 854194 or see the website www.pdsa.org.uk/volunteers