A local animal rescue charity has won a place in a new Richmond-upon-Thames edition of the Monopoly board game.

Animal Care and Rescue, based in Twickenham, will feature in the new game when it is launched in October.

The charity's mission is to rescue, foster, and rehome animals in the Richmond upon Thames area and it was nominated for the coveted spot by supporters earlier this year.

Bosses at Winning Moves UK, who are producing the game under license from Hasbro, say the Richmond edition is going to be 'the most animal-friendly Monopoly game ever'.

This reflects the many animal stories that have captured the attention of both locals and the nation over the past 12 months - from the young minke whale calf stranded at Teddington Lock to the beloved and sadly missed Freddie the seal.

More than 30 local landmarks will feature in the game, with iconic Richmond locations such as Ham House and Richmond Hill replacing the traditional central-London squares.

There is even a suggestion that Nub News will get a place on the board, although the details are being kept under wraps until the much-loved board game goes on sale.

About the winning charity

Animal Rescue and Care was founded in 2001 and has taken in and supported more than 8,000 pets and rescue animals, including many cats, rabbits and guinea pigs.

More recently, it has seen a rise in demand to re-home battery hens. In the last two years more than 600 hens have been rescued and rehomed.

Karen Hide, a Trustee at the charity, said: "We are absolutely thrilled to be featuring on the new board.

"Thank you to everyone who nominated us.

"We are a small independent local Richmond charity here to relieve the suffering of unwanted, abandoned and neglected pets be they cats, dogs and rabbits – or more unusual ones like chinchillas and hens.

"When commercial hens reach 17 months old their egg production becomes less regular and that put their lives in danger.

"We arrange for many to be adopted by people as pets and placed in new loving homes."

What is the Richmond upon Thames Monopoly board and when is it on sale?

News that the Richmond edition of Monopoly was to be launched was first announced in March.

Click here for the original announcement

At the time Winning Moves UK invited the public to suggest not only landmarks of Richmond upon Thames to feature in the game, but also charities and significant local businesses.

A spokesperson for the company said: "The game will reflect Richmond's love of animals – no more evidenced than with the wonderful Animal Rescue and Care charity which was heavily supported in the nominations for charities to feature in the game.

"It is our way of thanking the public for getting behind the game so very enthusiastically."

Earlier this year the Winning Moves UK's Custom Games Executive, George Shrimpton, said: "Nub News is certainly - from what we can see from nominations – in the running to feature on a square all on its own.

"The game will be in the shops in October of this year in time for Christmas."

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