A POPULAR animal lover who helped rescue hundreds of horses has died.

Olive Lomas, who founded Only Foals and Horses in Oswaldtwistle, passed away on Friday aged 86.

“She was a lovely, quiet, kind person who loved and adored animals,” her son Joey said yesterday.

Mrs Lomas was born in Bury in 1927 and moved to East Lancashire when she was in her 30s.

After marrying George Lomas, she had three children, Joey, Margaret, and the late Stephen, who died suddenly in 2011.

George died 25 years ago, and Mrs Lomas threw herself into her work rescuing animals.

In 1989, Mrs Lomas helped found the Animal Welfare Liaison Network, to raise awareness of the plight of foals being sold at auction for meat. The network rescued them and cared for them at Houghton Barn Farm in Altham.

In 1991, the group moved to a sanctuary in Redshell Lane, Oswaldtwistle, and changed its name to Only Foals and Horses after accepting older horses.

Joey said: “She could not stand an animal suffering in any way.”

Mrs Lomas was involved with the sanctuary even after moving to a care home in Accrington eight years ago. Joey added: “She was having meetings of the Only Foals and Horses group there until a month ago.”

Only Foals and Horses also received support from Coronation Street star Sherrie Hewson, who regularly helped raise funds for the sanctuary.

A funeral service for Mrs Lomas, who was also survived for five grandchildren and one great-grandchild, will be held at Accrington Crematorium, at 1.40pm on Wednesday, January 8.

Donations to the sanctuary have been requested in lieu of flowers.