A BATTLING Blackwell woman is "living on a knife edge" because the hundreds of animals she cares for at the village sanctuary face being slaughtered.

Linda Hill has managed Hillfields Animal Sanctuary, in Greenhill, for more than 20 years.

It started as a labour of love with her ex-husband, Roger Hill, but the centre now faces being re-possessed.

Following a legal row over the couple's divorce, the mortgage has not been paid for a year on the premises, which boasts five acres of land.

The Bank of Scotland could repossess it in July.

The sanctuary is home to more than 300 animals including goats, pot-bellied pigs, feral cats, turkeys, dogs and ducks.

Due to foot and mouth restrictions -- the village is in a danger zone -- the animals cannot be moved and Linda fears that if she is forced from her home, they will have to be killed.

Most of the animals are quite old, some are in family units and others, including the goats, are quite temperamental and hard to look after.

Linda says even if they could be moved she will have problems re-homing them.

She said: "I'm living my life on a knife edge.

"We have come through the foot and mouth crisis without having to cull healthy stock, yet the animals could still be killed because there is nowhere for them to go.

"I do not make money out of this -- I do it all for love -- and I could easily walk away and live a normal life but I don't want to do that.

"I took some of the animals on because they were cruelty cases.

"I am heartbroken and just hope someone can help me out."

Linda is appealing against the proposed re-possession at the High Court, in London, and has contacted animal-loving celebrities including Carla Lane to see if they can help in any way.

The bank did not wish to comment on ongoing legal proceedings.

Anyone who can offer support to the sanctuary can call Linda on 0121 445 3828.