A BURNLEY horse and pony rescue centre has been forced to close its doors after five animals contracted a virus.

The Horses and Ponies Protection Association's (HAPPA) centre at Shores Hey Farm, Black House Lane, Briercliffe, has been shut to visitors for a month while the animals are quarantined. The virus is not life-threatening and the affected animals are said to be recovering well.

But it has since emerged that another horse has contracted the illness and so the farm will remain closed for at least another three weeks meaning visitors who bring much needed donations will have to stay away.

Fundraiser Annette Brown said the closure is badly affecting funds for the centre and made a plea to people to donate money by post or telephone to help keep it running and pay for veterinary bills.

It costs approximately £12,000 a week to run HAPPA's two rescue centres.

Annette said: "We've got a viral infection on the yard and the horses that came down with the symptoms have been quarantined. We can't open again until we've had three clean swabs because we can't risk it spreading to the other horses.

"There are only five horses showing signs of it out of 70. It's not serious, it just spreads really quickly and we are trying to keep a cap on it and eradicate it.

"We are losing valuable donations by not allowing people up."

The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) said it had not been made aware of the problem because the virus was not a notifiable disease.

Anyone who would like to donate money should send a cheque payable to HAPPA to Taylor Building, Shores Hey Farm, Black House Lane, Halifax Road, Briercliffe, BB10 3QU or contact the head office on 01282 455992.