HORSES at a Wirral sanctuary were traumatised when a 20-strong gang of vandals poured petrol over boundary hedges and set them alight.

"Horse Sense Wirral" owners Amy Parker-Radley and Shaun Pirie said the arson attack has greatly distressed their animals.

Amy said: “I’m hoping there are a few parents out there who will have noticed their kids coming home smelling of burning that night.

“I hope they get in touch with police and hand their kids in because I’d like to know who did this.

“The horses are petrified because of what’s happened.

“One of them has had a traumatic past and has taken what happened very badly.”

A police spokesman said an investigation is underway and house-to-house inquiries have been made at nearby properties.

The blaze was extinguished by a fire crew from Heswall.

The Irby-based sanctuary is home to eight horses. Fortunately, none of them were injured.

The cost of the damage is estimated at around £600.

Anyone with information about the incident, which happened on Thursday, September 29, should call police on 0151 709 6010.