FORTY years ago, help was on its way for the family of 300 dogs, 80 cats, 50 horses and assorted other animals at Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary.

For an appeal by founder Olive Lomas for aid was taken up by Margaret, the millionaire Duchess of Argyll.

And she paid a visit to the sanctuary at Edenfield, near Ramsbottom, in the summer of 1968, saying hello to the animals in the muddy farmyard.

Bleakholt had been accepting animals since 1957 and was having to cater for more and more every year.

Railway rolling stock, with the wheels removed, had to be pressed into service for stable space for the animals, which included donkeys, bulls, goats, ducks, geese and hens.

Bursting at the seams, it was also running deeper and deeper into debt, until the Duchess stepped in to fulfil a childhood dream of owning a home for unwanted and neglected animals.

After seeing what was being accomplished on a shoestring, she paid off outstanding bills and also promised to pay £100 a month to help run the centre.

The sanctuary was also registered as a charity.

Said Mrs Lomas: “The Duchess has been marvellous and we can only hope her patronage will help us in our job to care for animals.

“We have never turned any away yet and it looks as though we will now never have to.”