THE final chance in 2008 to visit the Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre is next month.

The TRC opted earlier this year to open to the public on eight occasions between May and October rather than staging one major open day during the summer, as previously.

The last two days are Saturday and Sunday 18 & 19 October. Visitors must book their tickets in advance.

The visits present the opportunity for the public to see at close quarters the work of the TRC staff, including director Jule Robinson and its founder Carrie Humble MBE who will host the tours.

The TRC, at Whinney Hill, Halton, near Lancaster, is dedicated to the welfare, rehabilitation and re-homing of thoroughbred racehorses.

The gates will open at 10.30am on each day for coffee the the tour starts at 11.00am, with the chance for visitors to tour the yard, meet the horses and watch demonstrations before a question and answer session at 12.30pm. The events end at 1pm.

Tickets cost £10, including refreshments, and must be purchased in advance by calling 01524 812649. No dogs are allowed on the yard, and the events are not suitable for very young children.

Further information about the TRC is available at www.thoroughbredrehabilitationcentre.co.uk.

*Directions to the Centre. Leave the M6 at junction 35 and follow signs to Over Kellet on the Kirkby Lonsdale road. Go straight through Over Kellet and approximately two miles up that road - just past the Redwell Caravan Park - there is a right turn signed to Lancaster. Take this road for two miles and then, where the road begins to turn sharply right, turn left, signed for Aughton. Follow this for a quarter of a mile and the TRC is on the left.