THE new operations manager at a Rossendale animal sanctuary has swapped hearing the pounding of treadmills for the barking of four legged friends.

Stuart Murray has taken over at the helm of Bleakholt in Edenfield and his main aim is to help the sanctuary, which relies soley on charitable donations, become more sustainable over the next three to five years.

The 58-year-old comes with a wealth of experience as his previous role was chief executive at Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust.

Stuart’s background is in parks and leisure and he admits this role will be similar ‘with the addition of animals’.

“I feel I have got the experience to make a difference here. It’s a great place and superb work has been done here over the years,” said the father-of-two, who has two dogs himself and lives in Hebden Bridge.

“I have always worked outdoors on the parks or in the leisure industry and this is similar although with the addition of animal care.

“I want to carry on the traditions and values of the sanctuary but also, over the next three to five years, modernise the sanctuary and make it more sustainable for the future.

“There are already changes being made such as a new puppy unit which has just been completed and a hay barn where we can store hay instead of buying it, which is obviously important.”

Bleakholt was started in the 1950s when one lady Olive Lomas saved a lucky donkey named Maudie from slaughter.

Now it boasts a 55 acre site which still houses donkeys as well as horses, pigs and goats which are not for rehoming but can live out their lives in the countryside.

For other animals, such as cats, dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs, they hope it’s a shorter stay as they are rescue animals with the main aim to rehome them to caring families.

The sanctuary relies on donations but do have charity shops, a cafe on site and open days to boost their coffers and make sure they can continue to ‘care for those who have no one’ as their motto says.

Bleakholt receives a significant amount of its money from wills and Stuart wants to ensure that, if this ever stops, the sanctuary will go on.

He knows it's a new challenge but it’s one he will relish as he looks to build on the work already done and help Bleakholt become more financially stable.

“We do rely on volunteers and supporters and these are fantastic - Bleakholt wouldn’t be here without them - it is still a tough economic climate but we can all take the sanctuary forward and help it thrive even more.

“I have only been in the job for a short time but I am hoping to soon make strides forward once I get more familiar with how it all works.

“I am already getting used to hearing dogs barking and dodging hay bales.”