Pony-mad Charlotte Waters-Yates burst into tears after thugs launched a savage attack on her pony.

The seven-year-old animal Cash was pelted with stones as he frantically tried to escape the attack.

Only when one of the helpers at the stables spotted the gang did they stop throwing the pieces of flint at the pony and flee.

The incident was the latest attack on horses and ponies kept at the South Downs Equestrian Centre in Bear Road, by Brighton Racecourse.

Charlotte's mother, Michelle Waters, is now calling on the youngsters to stop tormenting the animals.

Michelle, 28, of Coldean, Brighton, said: "Cash was absolutely petrified. We were told he was going mad because he was so terrified as the stones rained in on him.

"He was in his own field in the first place because he was bullied by the other ponies. He is a nervous animal anyway, so the last thing he needed was to suffer like this."

Luckily Cash did not suffer serious injury. But he is now covered in bald patches and cuts where the stones struck him.

Michelle said: "The stables telephoned to say what had happened to Cash. When I told Charlotte, she burst into tears. I had a good cry too. It is so cruel."

Michelle said she caught one of the offenders, a boy aged 15, but was unable to hold him until police arrived.

Michelle said in the past horses had had their tails cut and the blankets they had on their backs sprayed with paint.

She bought the pony from a dealer for seven-year-old Charlotte. Michelle helps look after it while her daughter regularly rides it.

After the attack, police in the area have been asked to be extra vigilant around the stables.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "It is terrible to hear about such attacks. We'd appeal to those involved to think how painful it is for the horses and their owners to be subjected to such attacks."