A Brockweir horse charity that went into 'emergency closure' before Christmas has admitted that it is considering purchase offers on the site.

HAPPA, the Horse And Pony Protection Association, is currently running staff consultations from the Gregory Farm site as part of decisions on whether or not to reopen the entre again.

Despite disputing rumours by stating that "HAPPA is not sold", a spokeswoman for the charity has admitted that the site is up for sale and it is reviewing offers made. The 83.3 acre site, made up of both pasture and woodland, a house and a visitor centre, is up for sale at £600,000.

The stables went into an emergency closure on 19th December 2012 after worries that "mounting local pressure" was threatening staff and animals on the site.

"Staff had been verbally abused before the closure as rumours spread that horses were being euthanised on site," said the charity's spokeswoman.

"The Board of Directors decided it was best to close because of the risk to staff and the concern that well meaning but mis-advised people may have moved the horses from the farm.

"No horses have been put down due to the closure. The centre's euthanasia records are in keeping with last year, there has been no rise."

The horses from Gregory Farm have been relocated to HAPPA's second centre in Shores Hey Farm, Burnley, and are reportedly doing well.

However, it seems that local residents and protesters are no closer to discovering the fate of the village's tourist attraction.

"We are still not at a point where we are able to make a decision, we are undertaking staff consultations currently to help us decide whether to reopen or whether to close.

"It is a completely open book and although we are for sale, the Board of Directors are reviewing the options and can change their decisions completely.

"We will be issuing a press release as soon as a decision is made, hopefully it will be closer to weeks than months away."

HAPPA has blamed the use of social media as the platform used by protesters. The spokeswoman said: "There has been so much social media coverage that is totally mis-representing Happa. It is generating a lot of abuse towards staff.

"It is very nasty, very negative and very untrue."

In response to this Ruth Sinfield, chairwoman of the Save Gregory Farm action group, has said: "I personally do not agree with this method of venting feelings but HAPPA should take some responsibility for provoking such feelings."