AN animal welfare charity will highlight the plight of working animals past and present at an open air museum.

Brooke – Action for Working Horses and Donkeys will be at the Beamish Museum, near Stanley, on Tuesday, February 27.

The event, consisting of a morning and afternoon session, will include access to the museum’s exhibits and a talk from Chris Thompson, keeper of animals and land Engagement.

Guests will learn about the role of working horses in WW1, and Brooke’s newest campaign, Every Horse Remembered.

Brooke’s Every Horse Remembered campaign marks 100 years since the end of the First World War and looks at the struggle of working horses, donkeys and mules.

Brooke legacy manager Susan Hughes said: “We’re really looking forward to raising awareness of Brooke’s vision of a world in which working horses, donkeys and mules are free from suffering. It will be great for our guests to learn more about Brooke and the importance of gifts in wills, which fund two thirds of the charity’s work.”

Brooke was set up by Dorothy Brooke, the wife of a British cavalry officer, who travelled to Cairo in Egypt in 1930 to seek out the abandoned war horses of the First World War. Brooke has grown and now operates in more than 11 different countries, working to protect the lives of horses, donkeys and mules that give people in the developing world the opportunity to work their way out of poverty.

Guests can attend a morning or afternoon session. Refreshments and lunch will be served and visitors will also have time to enjoy the museum at their leisure.

To attend this free event, contact Erin Finch on erin.finch@thebrooke.org or 020 7470 9393. Spaces are strictly limited and are on a first come first served basis and must be booked in advance.