A couple who ran an animal rescue centre in East Grafton, Claire Strong and Paul Wilson, are to face trial over cruelty charges brought by the RSPCA.

Strong, 21, and Wilson, 43, live at The Severalls, in East Grafton, where they ran the Wiltshire Animal Rescue and Sanctuary, which features in the 12 charges each of them face at Salisbury Magistrates Court.

They are contesting the allegations and it is estimated their trial, which starts on November 1, could last for 11 days.

The couple were both arrested in July 2009 at their home after neighbours called the RSPCA and police to check the premises where they kept rescued dogs, cats, rabbits and reptiles.

They had their own web site, waras.org.uk, on which they advertised pets that needed new homes with follow-up stories about successful re-homings.

Police arrested Strong and Wilson on suspicion of causing unnecessary suffering to dogs and they were interviewed and bailed while the police and RSPCA investigation continued.

It is believed that Strong and Wilson are denying all the allegations hence the need for a lengthy trial.