LUCKY lamb Mrs Winky has been saved from the chop, not once but twice!

The lamb was pulled to safety by workers at Ramsbottom-based Drain Doctor Plumbing after she was swept away and was in danger of drowning in the River Irwell in the flash floods which hit the area last month.

Now, having won their hearts, her rescuers are determined to save the lamb once again by adopting her.

It was during the torrential rainfall that the owner of Drain Doctor Plumbing, Mr Peter Maplesden, heard the pathetic bleating of a lamb. He looked out of the office windows, and saw the animal "clinging for dear life" to the river embankment alongside a half-submerged tree stump.

He said: "Neil Roberts, a technician, was determined he was not going to let the lamb drown. He and general manager Ken Kempson waded through the water to one of our vans and drove to a bridge over a nearby steam railway line."

Neil, armed with a ladder and rope ran along the embankment. After climbing down the ladder Neil managed to lasso the lamb and pull it to safety.

The lamb was taken to the firm's offices where Drain Doctor Plumbing partner Jean Price used blankets and hot water bottles to dry it out.

When attempts to locate the missing animal's owner failed the firm contacted Leigh Animal Sanctuary.

The business is now sponsoring the lamb, which her rescuers have christened Mrs Winky, after the firm's logo "Mr Winky, quick as a wink".

Peter said: " We've taken the lamb to our hearts and we don't want to see it slaughtered. If the owner contacts us we will consider some compensation."