Mags and Graham Roxburgh, who care for a host of animals in Holywell Green, poured months of hard work into researching and creating a mix of natural products to create what they say is a non-chemical based cure for horses infected with "sweet itch."

The skin disorder is caused by flies laying eggs in the horse's mane. When the larvae hatch they and feed off the animal's blood. It needs antiseptic, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial treatment.

The tests by the couple's company, Stable Environment Ltd, have led to the launch of the Ultimate Two-in-One Fly Repellent and Skin Tonic.

Managing director Mrs Roxburgh had already learned how essential oils could heal and prevent skin disorders in both humans and animals as a trichologist of 15 years.

And it was these techniques, as well as those picked up as a qualified aromatherapist and hairdresser, that she used to blend oils to make her environmentally-friendly products.

She was keen to create products which were gentle on animals and affordable for a wide market.

Neem oil, from India and lemon eucalyptus, from China, are key ingredients for the new fly spray.

Mrs Roxburgh says she is unaware of anyone else here who has used Neem in a fly spray product because of how difficult it is to emulsify.

But it has been used for centuries in Asia as a "soft" pesticide, stopping insects from breeding rather than killing them outright.

"We started last May and it took six months to get it sorted," said Mrs Roxburgh.

"It's a very big breakthrough.

"Other items on the market have so many chemicals in them. Horses love the smell of this."

Last September she began treatment on a 15-year-old horse, who was covered in sores caused by the infestation.

It took six months to heal him.

Now Mrs Roxburgh has pledged 10 per cent of every product she sells to two Animals in Distress sanctuaries, one in Littleborough, the other in Manchester.

Local schools are already helping the company's Give an Animal a Meal campaign, where people can hand in tins and packets of pet food which are then taken to the sanctuaries.