MUGGING victim Eileen Richardson faced new heartache today after learning that her beloved four-legged friend has died.

Eileen, 90, and staff at Thwaites' brewery stables have been devastated by the death of seven-year-old shire horse Regal.

Eileen, who suffered a fractured hip, severe bruising and cuts when she was mugged on Saturday afternoon near her Pleasington home, has been a weekly visitor at the stables since the shire horses were reintroduced at the stables in 1960. And she was chose the name Regal when the horse arrived at the brewery four years ago. Regal collapsed in his horse box on the way back from a job and couldn't get up as his legs had splayed underneath him.

The dedicated stable staff, including head groomsman Charles Beardmore, tried to coax him to his feet for more than 17 hours, but had to call firefighters to use lifting equipment to help the one-ton giant. A spokesman for Thwaites said: "Unfortunately he had to be put down over the weekend because he had done to much damage to his muscles and his legs." Speaking from her bed at Blackburn Royal Infirmary, where she is being treated for injuries she suffered when she was mugged, Regal's biggest fan Eileen said: "I can't believe he has died. He was such a lovely horse and I will really miss him.

"Now I am determined to get back on my feet and get back to the stables." Police investigating the mugging and two others in Blackburn on Saturday afternoon are appealing for people to help them identify a car which was used in one of the attacks. Margaret Stairmand, 87, was mugged in Blackburn on Saturday afternoon. Just before the attack she saw a big brown or gold car pull up behind her with two white men inside. Anybody with information about any of the muggings is asked to contact Blackburn CID on 01254 353560.

Picture (left): Eileen Richardson with horse Regal and Thwaites transport supervisor Peter Morris, left, and groomsman Andrew Whetton and (right) after her mugging.