NOAH'S ARK has nothing on the Only Foals and Horses animal sanctuary on the outskirts of Oswaldtwistle. It really is bursting at the seams.

Co-ordinator Olive Lomas said "We are getting desperate. We urgently need some more money so that we can expand. We don't want to turn away any animals but soon we will have to".

The sanctuary at Redshell Stables, off Haslingden Old Road, is home for scores of animals. Ninety foals, horses and ponies,10 rabbits, 14 pigs, three guinea-pigs, 18 goats, three sheep and six cockerels from all over the UK are all taken care off by the staff and volunteers.

Money needed to run the sanctuary is collected from organised events, donations and collection boxes. A few celebrities also give their support including Coronations Street's Sherrie Hewson and John Sullivan, the script writer for 'Only Fools And Horses'.

Every week £2,000 is needed to run the sanctuary, but as more and more animals are brought in, costs are steadily rising and more financial help is needed. Many school children help on weekends on a voluntary basis but there is still a shortage of adult helpers.

Said Mrs Lomas: "As we only rent the farm buildings we can't extend them. Ideally we would like to buy the premises and then develop them. But that will cost a lot of money."

Their latest event, a mammoth table top sale will be held at the sanctuary this Sunday (October 13) between 1and 4pm. Spaces can be booked by ringing 235559.

"The events we organise are quite well attended, but the more help we get the better." said Mrs Lomas. "We are in this for the good of the animals, we give them the chance to live which otherwise they wouldn't have"

Anyone who plans to attend is asked to bring as many items of bric-a-brac as they can to add to the sale.

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