MIRACLE the horse is living up to her name by recovering from a terrible leg injury - even though a vet had said she should be put down.

The tall and gentle dark brown mare - previously rescued from being sold as horse meat - has pulled through thanks to the loving care of volunteers from Halesowen and Oldbury at a rescue centre in Wythall, along with liberal doses of honey from the charity's own bee hives.

But the Animal Healing Trust and Horse Rescue, which has its sanctuary in Icknield Street, Wythall, is now faced with £1,000 in vets' bills for her treatment and is launching a fundraising drive with a Christmas gift fair at The Bell in Bromsgrove Road, near Belbroughton, on November 28 from 11am to 4pm.

The trust also needs to find another £2,000 for winter food for the 28 horses it looks after.

Trustee Sue Gessey, who lives in Wythall, found Miracle with a 12in by 4in gash on a back leg about a month ago.

"The flesh was hanging from her knee to her foot and we think she must have caught her leg on a fence in a freak accident," said Miss Gessey.

"We rang the vet, who said Miracle should be put to sleep, although she wasn't limping and was still eating hay.

"In the end we found another vet, who injected her to prevent pain and cut out the fur and flesh.

"We kept the wound clean with honey from our beehives, which acts like an antiseptic, and the vet has bandaged her up once a week."

Halesowen volunteer Jacqui Land said: "It is a happy ending as Miracle is now healing beautifully and loving her new vet, who cares from his heart."

Miss Gessey added: "Miracle got her name after we rescued her from being slaughtered for horse meat when we clubbed together to raise £250 to buy her from Dudley.

"She's so sweet and gentle and is now in love with Billy, an ex racehorse who is our herd leader - they go everywhere together.

"There was no way we could let her die."

Items on sale at the Christmas gift fair include designer jewellery and clothing, cakes, jams and chutney, cards, toys, artwork and candles.