A horse rescue charity has appealed for help to protect its ponies from vandals.

It comes after one of its horses suffered a broken hoof after teenagers were seen in paddocks at Portslade Horse Retreat.

Millie, a rare American quarter horse, is recovering at an animal hospital near Lewes after the incident last week.

The year-old horse was bought for Retreat founder Annie Taylor by her husband Terry. Now Mrs Taylor and volunteers want to fence off the sanctuary's three-acre field in Manor Road, Portslade, to keep vandals out.

Elaine Attree has helped care for The Retreat's rescued horses and its two llamas for three years.

She said: "Teenagers were seen in the field on Tuesday night but we can't be certain that they caused the injury to Millie. All we can say for sure is that she was lame when we saw her the next morning.

"We have been told that teenagers have been coming into the fields at night, chasing the horses and throwing stones at them. Shoes and beer cans have also been thrown."

Elaine, 36, said the retreat now wants to put 10ft high metal fencing around the fields to protect the horses. She said: "The sanctuary is very short of money which is why we have to limit the number of rescue horses we can look after. We are appealing either to people to donate money or for local builders who might have spare fencing to help us."

Anyone who can help should phone Annie Taylor at The Retreat on 01273 389700.