A DARWEN pet lover who won £10,000 in a national competition has given it all to her local animal sanctuary in a bid to boost their good work.

Julie Bolan, 41, of The Sidings, has always loved animals so when she spotted a competition in a national newspaper last month to win cash for charity she decided to have a go.

Within a few weeks she received a letter telling her she had won, and this week she received the winning cheque.

Julie said: "It's quite a bit of money and I didn't dream I'd ever win it. I'm delighted because I've never won anything before.

"I saw the competition and it was one where you had to collect tokens. I also had to write in 50 words or less why my charity deserved the money.

"I adopted my three-legged greyhound Molly from Bleakholt last year and while I was there I found out what other work they do. They have opened a hospice for poorly cats and dogs and I decided I wanted to help them out.

"When I saw the chance of getting them some money I jumped at it because they are a charity and need help. At that time the horrible tsunami disaster hadn't occurred so Bleakholt was the first charity I thought of."

Julie's winning statement said: "Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary is the most amazing place. It houses 400 animals never turning away help no matter how old, poorly or sometimes naughty the animals are.

"I have adopted one of these. It's one of the many animals who may have endured cruel and dreadful conditions until Bleakholt. £10,000 would make a massive difference, please choose them."

Bleakholt is a charitable organisation committed to caring for dogs, cats and other farm animals.

It is based on a 55 acre site in Edenfield, near Ramsbottom, and relies on donations and sponsorship from the public.

Manager Neil Martin said: "We are very grateful when people donate money to us. It's extremely important because that is what keeps Bleakholt going. We'd like to thank Julie for thinking of us and being so generous."