The manager of a hunt kennels claims a masked gang of animal rights protesters hurled bricks and smashed windows.

Around 30 people took part in the 15-minute rampage at the Surrey and Burstow Fox Hound Kennels at East Grinstead.

One police officer needed hospital treatment after the balaclava-clad mob sprayed CS gas while hurling bricks and stones on Saturday night.

Mark Bycroft, 29, whose pregnant wife and 15-month-old baby were in one of three houses attacked, said the protesters were "anarchists who had no respect for women, children or animals."

He said they arrived in three vans and a Land Rover. "They were all dressed in black and wearing balaclavas and masks.

"They overpowered the two police officers who had been warned they were on the way, shouted vile abuse and just began hurling rocks and bricks."

Mr Bycroft said 17 windows at the three houses were smashed and rocks thrown into the kennels.

Police, alerted when the group met up at East Grinstead railway station, failed to make any arrests but are investigating.

The Hunt Saboteurs Association claimed members had been attacked with pick-axe handles when they went to the hunt compound to demonstrate against an incident on Friday when a hunt opponent was injured in Horsted Keynes.

A man has been arrested in connection with an incident at Horsted Keynes. He was interviewed at the weekend and released on police bail.