A DEDICATED Belbroughton woman who made it her life’s mission to rescue injured, old and unwanted horses, donkeys and ponies has died at the age of 74.

Anthea Frisby, who rescued dozens of animals over the years, died this morning (Monday September 23) after a 12-month battle with cancer.

The kind-hearted animal lover, from Mearse Lane, saved many so-called hopeless cases where owners had given up on or tired of their four-legged farmyard friends.

Anthea, a former horse groom, began rescuing domestic pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs in the late 1960s and later graduated to taking in unwanted and ill-treated horses.

And as her collection of rescue animals grew her passion turned into popular village cause - Animal Sanctuary and Protection.

Long-time friend and sanctuary finance manager Gaye Hadley said: “Horses have been her life. She was far more happy with animals than she was with people; she had a terrific empathy with them; she was very intuitive with horses and they responded to her.

“She’s been very much a part of the village for many years. It’s a great loss. "We're all devastated."

Tamworth-born Anthea, who moved to Belbroughton in the late 1950s, often worked two or three jobs at a time to help pay for food, bedding and veterinary fees for the animals.

For 26 years she worked as a dinner lady and cleaner at Belbroughton School and Gaye added: “She also used to clean at the pubs in the village to raise money for the animals. She worked really, really hard. She’d feed the animals before feeding herself.”

She said Anthea had been desperately hoping to see in this year’s Belbroughton Scarecrow Weekend which for many years has been a big fundraiser for ASAP as well as other good causes in the village.

But sanctuary supporters will now be coining in charity cash in Anthea’s honour at this weekend’s event (September 28 and 29).

Gaye said it was too early to say what would happen to the sanctuary’s ten-strong collection of rescued horses and ponies, which live in various village fields, but she and husband Roger would like to carry on the good work with the support of ASAP's dedicated team of volunteers.

Anthea leaves a husband of 45 years - David, daughter Samantha, son Joe and three grandchildren.

Her funeral will be held at Stourbridge Crematorium on Thursday October 3 at 11am.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to the sanctuary in memory of Anthea can send cheques payable to ASAP Belbroughton to Church Farm, Bradford Lane, Belbroughton, DY9 9TF.