SOMERSET residents are being asked to make a wish and help a worthy cause at The Bower Inn over the Christmas period.

The pub and hotel near Bridgwater is inviting children to write their wishes on a cardboard star in return for a donation to two charities – Dogs 4 Adoption and The National Animal Welfare Trust (NAWT).

The wishes can be made throughout December up until Christmas Eve.

The pub owners will be giving the donations to the two charities that are close to their hearts and hope many of the children will get their Christmas wishes.

Dogs 4 Adoption is a registered charity based at St Giles Kennels in Wrantage and is owned by the Linnell family.

The National Animal Welfare Trust was founded in 1971 as an independent charity.

NAWT acquired Heaven’s Gate Farm near Langport in the early 1990s. NAWT rehomed nearly 1,200 animals last year, mainly cats and dogs, but also rabbits, guinea pigs, birds and field animals.

The organisation is responsible for taking and caring for all of the stray dogs from the Taunton Deane and South Somerset areas.

Candida Leaver, co-owner of The Bower Inn, said she hoped the wishes would prove popular with youngsters.

“We will place our Christmas wishing tree in our bar area as we thought it would be a great way to raise money for our two charities of the year, Dogs 4 Adoption in Taunton and NAWT in Langport,” she said.

“Children will be able to come into the bar area and write their wishes on a card star. These will then be tied to the tree in return for a donation to our chosen charities.”

Candida, who runs The Bower Inn with her husband, Peter Starling, added: “We hope lots of parents bring their children along to pop their wishes on the tree and we hope all of them come true.

“Children will be able to make their wishes until Christmas Eve, December 24 and we will donate all of the money raised to the two charities in January 2017.”

The pair purchased The Bower Inn in 2010 and have spent six years refurbishing it and opening a restaurant in the hotel and pub.

For more information about The Bower Inn call 01278 422926 or visit thebowerinn.co.uk.