A POPULAR animal sanctuary, visited and supported by scores of Bolton people, is facing the axe if a cash appeal fails.

Desperate owners of the Only Foals and Horses Sanctuary are trying to raise £190,000 to enable them to buy the land and buildings they currently rent.

But months in to the campaign, only £10,000 has been raised and they may have to face negotiating with the landowner to try to secure a further 12-month option on their home at the Redshell Stables.

Volunteers are adamant that the 80 horses, 24 goats, seven sheep, 16 pigs and various wild fowl will not have to be destroyed if they lose their home.

But Olive Lomas, honorary co-ordinator of the sanctuary, which has been running since 1991, admitted that the animals would have to be sent to various smallholdings.

She said: "The Bolton people have been great to us in the past. There have been plenty of visitors from the town, especially after an article has appeared in the paper.

Ideas

"The big attraction for people is that they can see all these animals in the one place but, if they have to be sent to different places, that will be lost.

"Destroying any of the animals is not an option that we would even consider. We know all our supporters feel as strongly about this as we do."

Now they are searching for any last minute ideas to help fund their bid for the land, off Haslingden Old Road, Oswaldtwistle.

A number of fund raising events are held throughout the year but much of the money raised goes towards the £3,000 weekly running costs of the animal sanctuary.

An application by the group for Lottery funds failed last year but the sanctuary was granted a short reprieve when they were given an extra year at the site.

Anyone who can help should contact 01254 235559 or 239995.

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