SHE became known as the "miracle mare" after being at the centre of a dramatic early morning Christmas Eve fire service rescue after collapsing in her stable in 2017.

And the drama at Fenton's Farm, in Shaw, seemed to give Miss Molly - the much-loved four-legged friend of Fran Scholes, from Springhead - a new lease of life.

Fran had to draft in Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service after neither she nor a vet could get Molly to her feet last Christmas.

But thanks to the quick-thinking actions of 20 firefighters from Ashton and Heywood her “precious girl” was finally winched to her hooves and she trotted off to munch grass, unscathed by her ordeal.

Since she has not only celebrated her 21st birthday, but she was deemed fit enough to ride for the first time in 12 months and spent a glorious summer soaking up the sun in the field.

But sadly it was to be the last summer besotted Fran would spend with her special steed after Miss Molly - a much-longed for 60th birthday present for her mum, Janet, who tragically passed away from pancreatic cancer months after welcoming her into the family - passed away on Boxing Day.

Devastated Fran, a teacher at Kingfisher School, said Miss Molly took a turn for the worse a week before Christmas and she spent Christmas Day by her side in her stable - even managing to overcome her fear of needles to inject her with her medication, under the remote but watchful eye of vet Simon Constable from Simon Constable Equine Vets, in Radcliffe, via mobile phone!

But on Boxing Day morning Fran found Miss Molly lying down and a visit from the vet confirmed her worst fears and she knew it was time to say her final goodbyes.

"She was my world, my beautiful miracle horse who gave me her all," said a heartbroken Fran.

"She will always be my brave warrior but now she dances in the clouds with the other unicorns. I am in pieces and my heart is broken but I know what a treasured gift she was.

"She was the most gentle of creatures with big beautiful eyes that took you straight into her soul. Definitely an angel with hooves.

"She'd had so many things wrong with her over the years and got into so many scrapes it really was a miracle she was still going."

"She had bad arthritis and hadn't been able to keep her shoes on for a few months. It was only down to the skill and hard work of our blacksmith, Paul Conroy, she's been able to wear shoes at all as her feet were too small for her body.

"We knew she must have been in pain but she was obviously masking just how much. She was amazing really.

"I'm just glad it was quick and she died peacefully. We could have tried to keep her going but, unlike when she collapsed last Christmas and you could tell she was fighting and wanted to get back up, she had a look in her eyes that told me she'd had enough."

Fran said she can't thank Simon, his vet Gemma Pool, and the practice enough for their care and support over the years.

And she was overwhelmed to receive a card from them and a packet of Forget-Me-Not seeds for Fran to plant as a constant reminder of Miss Molly.

She's also been besieged by hugs, good wishes and support from colleagues at Kingfisher School which she says has been a great comfort.

Fran really did her utmost to make life comfortable for her four-legged friend, hunting out specialist food to overcome her digestion problems, buying aids to overcome her physical issues, and toys and treats.

She even paid for Denshaw based sports therapist Dawn Rothwell to give her deep tissue massages to ease her arthritis, investing in a course to learn the skill herself.

"I've spent so much on her and spent hour upon hour with her in stable to keep her company," said Fran.

"But it's doesn't matter about the money, it's what they give you back and Miss Molly has given me so much back over the years."