A CASH-STRAPPED animal sanctuary has been thrown a cash lifeline - just weeks before it was due to lose its home.

A mysterious businessman from Suffolk has offered the Only Foals and Horses charity a low-interest loan of up to £100,000 to help buy the land it rents at Redshell Lane, Oswaldtwistle.

The owners of the site have decided to sell up but have offered the charity first option.

Fund-raising efforts have so far raised £20,000 - but another £180,000 is needed or the sanctuary's 81 horses, ponies and foals and 67 goats, pigs, sheep and rabbits will have to leave the site when the lease runs out at the end of February.

Co-ordinator Olive Lomas said the businessman - who wants to remain anonymous - got in touch after reading an article about the sanctuary in a national newspaper.

She said: "He just said he was an animal lover and a businessman. He has offered us a lifeline in the form of a low-interest loan for part or possibly half of the purchase price.

"Everything has to be sorted out yet but it has given us the incentive and a great deal more enthusiasm to re-launch the appeal and try to raise as much as possible."

The sanctuary is asking people to contribute in any way they can, whether it is by buying a badge for £1 or adopting an animal, which costs from £10 a year, or £100 for life.

Olive said: "When you break it down like that it doesn't seem impossible."

Fund-raising continued on Sunday with the animals' joint birthday party, when they were given several wheelbarrow-loads of apples and carrots.

Olive Lomas said: "As we don't know most of the animals' actual birthdays, they all have a birthday at New Year.

"It's an excuse for a fund-raising day, and for extra treats for the animals."

Anyone wishing to help the appeal can contact the sanctuary on 01254 235559.

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