STARS of the small screen met homeless cats, dogs and rabbits during a recent visit to Blue Cross in Burford.

Blackadder actress Miranda Richardson and The Thick of It’s Joanna Scanlan enjoyed an exclusive behind the scenes visit to the Burford animal sanctuary for a special set of portraits for the charity.

Oxford Mail: Michelle Collins  and Stitch for Blue Cross pet charity by Rankin

EastEnders star Michelle Collins and X Factor singer Diana Vickers also took part in the photoshoot at the rehoming centre, with pictures taken by internationally renowned photographer John Rankin Waddell, known as Rankin.

Rankin teamed up with the national charity to shoot a range of portraits aimed at celebrating the important role pets play in people’s lives and to encourage people to think about rehoming an animal from Blue Cross.

The photographer said: “Pets change our lives.

"I know mine certainly have and that is why I wanted to join forces with Blue Cross and their famous friends and through this series of unique portraits, inspire people to give back to pets in need for the amazing, enriching and wonderful roles pets play in our lives.”

Oxford Mail: Anthony Head and Emily Head with Blue Cross rabbit by Rankin

Other stars appearing in the shots, having posed at Rankin’s London studio, include Jimmy Carr, Anthony and Emily Head, James Bowen and his cat Bob, and actor Isaac Hempstead Wright from Game of Thrones.