A CELEBRITY-backed sanctuary for abandoned animals in East Lancashire is celebrating its first massive milestone.

From humble beginnings, hundreds of needy animals, dozens of celebrities and thousands of pounds have passed through the doors of the Only Foals and Horses animal sanctuary in Oswaldtwistle since it was launched 10 years ago.

In its early days as a centre taking in a few cases of neglect and cruelty, the sanctuary now has a full complement of nearly 200 residents.

But for founder Olive Lomas, who moved from her home in Burnley to a temporary cabin to set up the facility, it has been ten years of hard work.

She said: "When we first started we had just 20 horses and ponies and now we have more than 100.

"But as the numbers grow it never stops being emotional to rescue them.

"It is always distressing to see the animals mistreated or abandoned and that never gets any easier."

Olive originally formed a campaign group called the Animal Welfare Liaison Network (AWLN) in 1989, and as a result opened Only Foals and Horses.

From the outset, the sanctuary, set in 22 acres of land off Redshell Lane, has relied entirely on donations.

Cash comes in from meme from members of the public, local organisations, and even celebrities.

As the reputation of the centre began to grow, Olive approached John Sullivan, creator and writer of television comedy 'Only Fools and Horses,' the inspiration for the sanctuary's name.

Sullivan gave his official blessing to the name being used, and even sent a cheque to help.

And such is his interest that he still checks up on the sanctuary once or twice a year.

The sanctuary takes thousands of pounds per week to run, and struggles constantly to bring in enough cash, especially over the winter when animals need extra warmth and shelter as well as food.

But celebrity involvement - as well as public donations - has helped keep it on its feet.

Cast members from Coronation Street have often thrown their weight behind the facility, even going so far as to adopt a horse.

Among the star names to have helped put the sanctuary in the public eye are Bruce Jones and Vicky Entwistle, who play the battling Battersbys, Les and Janice.

Celebrities have also lent a helping hand by sponsoring animals.

Denise Welch, who played the soap's Natalie Horrocks, adopted a small black Shetland pony.

John Sullivan set up a fund to start a stabling section called Trotters' Peckham Block.

And actor Roger Lloyd-Pack, who plays Trigger in the series, has also lent his support in the past.

Olive, now 77, said: "This is the hardest time of year for us.

"Everyone is that little bit overstretched and overworked.

"We struggle to survive for most of the time.

"We have tried to rescue as many animals as we can, but we are full to capacity now.

"We haven't a single stable and hardly any empty space.

"We couldn't do any more for the time being, and we are just looking after the ones we have got."

The centre now looks after around 100 horses, sheep, pigs, goats and rabbits at Oswaldtwistle, and another 80 at an overflow site in Altham.

Olive said: "I still enjoy what I do but it does get hard sometimes and it's slowing me down at the moment but you have only to look round at all these animals.

"That is the driving force for everyone here as well."