TEENAGER Tracey Woodward and her family are playing mum to an orphaned foal...but it may not be enough to save his life.

Two-week-old Charlie's mum Sapphire, exhausted from the birth, died from a rare throat condition.

Now the Woodward family, of Crow Trees Brow, Chatburn, have mounted a round-the-clock vigil on newborn Charlie in the hope that they can keep him alive.

And they are appealing to other horse owners: "Please find Charlie a new mum."

Jacqueline Woodward and her daughter, Tracey, 15, are heartbroken at Sapphire's death and distraught at the prospect of Charlie dying, too.

"He will need feeding every two hours for at least six weeks, after which he will need feeding every three," said Jacqueline.

"We are hand-feeding him powdered milk and the situation is far from ideal.

"We are willing to keep going, but he would be far better off with a mare. He would have a better chance of surviving. Can anyone help us?"

An appeal to a national database that matches foals and mares has drawn a blank, but the Woodwards aren't giving up hope that an adoptive mum might be found locally.

"We are prepared to rear Charlie by hand if necessary, but he really does need a mum. It could be a matter of life and death," Jacqueline added.

Anyone who can help can contact the Woodwards on 01200 441816.

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