Horse charity marks 50 years with museum

The HAPPA charity has helped more than 2,000 horses, ponies and donkeys including a horse called Espero

An animal charity is celebrating 50 years of helping horses in Lancashire by opening a museum to "revel" in its work.

The Horses and Ponies Protection Association (HAPPA) is showcasing its journey over the past five decades at Shores Hey Farm in Briercliffe, Burnley, to mark the milestone.

Amanda Berry, the head of equine operations, said it was a "digital timeline" with "lots of happy endings" for horses.

It also tells the story of HAPPA's founder Mona Huskie and the instrumental role of Pam Wood who opened her stable yard to the charity as a safe haven for horses in need half a century ago.

The charity bought a former cattle farm - Shores Hey Farm - in 1984

The charity is bringing its history back to life with the museum which chronicles the rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming of more than 2,000 horses, ponies and donkeys over the last five decades.

The charity started in London in 1937, but struggled to meet demand for its service at its first home in Capel Manor, Hertfordshire.

It then made the move to Greenbank Farm in Fence in 1974 thanks to supporter of the charity Ms Wood.

She offered for her farm to become the charity's rescue centre for horses, ponies and donkeys who had been subjected to cruelty and neglect.

The museum chronicles the timeline of the charity's work

Ms Wood and HAPPA realised to have a truly secure future the charity needed to invest in its own property.

In 1984 they raised enough to buy the then cattle farm Shores Hey Farm and it has grown considerably since those early days.

The charity's chief executive Sarah Arthur said HAPPA's success in Burnley was down to the "truly remarkable people who have made it happen, the local council and businesses who have supported the charity and the local people who advocate the work that we do".

She invited people to visit the museum at Shores Hey Farm to "revel in the charity's historical journey of development and contributions to equine welfare".