THREE young animal lovers raised £400 by forfeiting their birthday presents - and asking for donations to wildlife charities instead.

Twins Michael and Camille Clarke, from Cassington Road, Yarnton, and their cousin Joe Birchall, from Maple Avenue, Kidlington, all celebrate their tenth birthdays this week.

On Saturday, they held a birthday disco at Yarnton village hall for 80 of their family and friends - and used the event as an opportunity to raise money for good causes.

The three animal fans have, between them, nine rabbits, two cats, two dogs and a hamster.

Michael and Camille's mum Sharon, 39, said: "They had a charity disco to raise money.

"Joe was raising for Guide Dogs for the Blind, Michael for the Blue Cross animal sanctuary at Burford and Camille for St Tiggywinkles Hospital, near Thame."

She said the original idea had come from Joe, who has a younger brother Oliver, seven, and older twin brother and sister Tommy and Gemma, 13. His birthday was on Wednesday - two days after his cousins.

Mrs Clarke said: "Their friends brought donations to the disco. It was really buzzing.

"The generosity of the schoolchildren was brilliant.

"They're animal-crazy. They like bird watching and are always going to the animal sanctuary. The three of them love animals, so it was quite appropriate to do a joint fundraising thing for their birthday.

"It was great, they had a lot of fun. I'm very proud. It gives them pleasure as well, knowing the animals will benefit.

"Some of the children who came to the party had been raiding their money boxes and bringing along as much as they could."

Mrs Clarke, a medical secretary, who also has a 12-year-old daughter, Charlotte, thanked all the children from Joe's school, West Kidlington Primary, and the twins' school, William Fletcher Primary, in Yarnton, for their donations.