A HAMPSHIRE animal sanctuary facing the axe has been saved thanks to generous Daily Echo readers.

The Silver Lake Animal Sanctuary faced closure after its owner Win Skiff forked out £700 for emergency treatment on 33-year-old horse, Beauty, who was stabbed in the neck last month.

As reported in yesterday's Daily Echo, the 83-year-old felt obliged to spend the money after the horse saved her life nine years ago when it pulled Win out of mud and lay next to her through the night to keep her warm.

But the bill put the sanctuary in Midlington Road, Droxford, and its 84 cats, two goats, two horses, two dogs and countless turkeys and chickens in jeopardy.

But today we can reveal that Win has been thrown a lifeline after an anonymous reader touched by her plight donated £1,000.

Delighted Win said: "The woman came onto the property and gave the cheque to my stable helper. He was very excited and came up to me and said he had something but wouldn't tell me what it was. But then he pulled out this cheque, I was so shocked I nearly fell off my chair.

"It turns out this woman has a soft spot for horses and has some of her own so she understands what lovely creatures they are."But other kind-hearted readers have also come forward with money and the sanctuary looks set to bounce back from the brink of closure.

"I just want to say thank you to the Daily Echo for helping me, I wouldn't have been able to do this on my own," said Win

Silver Lake Animal Sanctuary opened 60 years ago. Its supporters had already raised £100 before the Daily Echo appeal.

To help raise more cash the Silver Lake Animal Sanctuary is holding a Christmas Bazaar on December 12 at Droxford village hall from 11am to 2.30pm to raise vital funds. The sanctuary can be reached on 01489 877809.