ANIMAL lovers are invited to an Adopt a Pony Open Day at the Only Foals and Horses Sanctuary, Oswaldtwistle.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Hyndburn, Coun Maurice Cowell and his wife, Margaret, sparked the idea for the special event after they adopted a pony themselves.

They are both animal lovers and wanted to encourage others to follow suit. People are invited to the open day on Sunday between 1pm and 4pm and are encouraged to take along carrots for the horses.

Visitors can also spend the afternoon looking at the other animals at the centre, including pigs, sheep, rabbits, goats and guinea pigs and there will be stalls and attractions at the event.

Sanctuary officials are eager to hear from anyone who would like to enter their pets in a pet show the following Sunday.

They are also looking for volunteers to take part in a sponsored dog walk, which will be about five miles long, starting at 11am on August 3.

More information about any of the events is available on 01254 671989 or 582844.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.