A HORSE badly burned after his stable was set alight in an arson attack is slowly recovering from his injuries -- but is still in a lot of pain.

Gus's battle to overcome his horrific injuries has touched the hearts of people in Little Lever who have raised up to £2,500 to help towards his medical bills. And he is now taking his first steps outside, although he is still reluctant to leave his stable.

Gus, who over the years became a favourite with generations of Little Lever children who learned to ride on him -- including Radio 1 DJ Sara Cox -- suffered horrific burns in February when an arsonist set fire to his stable near his owner's home off Cedar Avenue, Little Lever.

The attacker is thought to have poured petrol over his blanket before setting it on fire.

The attack left 26-years-old Gus badly disfigured with burns down one side of his body. He also lost an eyelid and the tips of his ears.

His owner Kath Harris said: "He is recovering slowly despite the fact that he is in a lot of pain -- and will be for quite some time."

Mrs Harris is treating his burns with creams and powders and has cut back on his painkillers.

"He is feeling the pain at the moment and is reacting to the powder which obviously stings him. But he's doing brilliantly although it is slow going."

Mrs Harris rescued Gus from his burning stable after being woken by her dogs barking in the middle of the night. She ran into the stable and rescued five other horses but could not see Gus in the smoke and flames.

But after initially being forced outside she ran back into the inferno and eventually managed to push the terrified horse outside to safety.

She said: "He was so badly injured I thought he was going to die. But he's a fighter and has surprised us all with the determination he has shown."

She has been astonished by the response of the public who have held a variety of fundraising events to help pay for his treatment.

Mrs Harris added: "The response from people has been fantastic. We've had two old ladies from Horwich who have sent cards, letters and a donation and hopefully we will be bringing them down here so they can see how he's getting on."

"It's not just the vets bills that people are helping towards but also things like the special rug which we have had made to keep sunlight of his scars and all of the creams and potions which were costing about £90 a week at one point."

Earlier this month a fundraising night at Little Lever Cricket Club last week raised £1,800.

Bert Fearn, who organised the event, said: "It was a fantastic night and it completely sold out. About 180 people turned up and we almost had to shut the doors because we were so full."