Ashford's MP says he is doing all he can to ensure horses are not being abused in fields in the town.

Damian Green has been in contact with the RSPCA to try to help the animals - particularly those in a field along Ashford Road in Kingsnorth, which has become known as the 'field of death'.

Over the past six months there have been several incidents with horses in the field including two horses being found dead and covered with a car door, another being left untreated after cutting its face and leg on barbed wire, and a young foal that was recently injured.

A meeting is now being arranged with Mr Green and the RSPCA to discuss the issues surrounding neglected horses and how it can be resolved.

Mr Green said: "I've been approached by a number of constituents about widespread cases of horses apparently being neglected.

"I've been in touch with the RSPCA on several occasions about this as nobody wants to see any animal abused and there seems to be more and more problems.

"I'm trying to gather as much information as possible about these horses so we can try to stamp out the abuse.

"It does seem that the policies are in place, it's just a case of enforcing them."

On his Facebook page, Mr Green published a letter he received from the RSPCA, which claims the organisation has previously tried to remove the horses from the Kingsnorth field.

In the letter, the animal charity: "Two horses were seized and both horses tested positive for worm burden and we planned to seize the other seven.

"However, a local group prevented any further action from occurring, including seizure.

"We therefore could not take no further action on those remaining horses although we remain concerned at the on going welfare of these horses and will continue to monitor them."

An RSPCA spokeswoman thanked residents for their concern.

She said: "We would like to reassure people that we take every report seriously and take whatever action we are able to do.

“Frustrating as it is, we can only act within the law at all times - we’re only able to remove an animal with the say so of the police and a vet.

"Even if conditions are less than ideal there isn’t always a law being broken so where people may expect us to rush in and seize an animal, this often isn’t possible as it would be against the law - we have no more legal right to do so than any other member of the public.

“We understand that everyone involved wants to improve the welfare of these horses and we would be keen to work with welfare organisations in the area to improve the situation and ensure the horses are being cared for properly."

Mr Green has stated he would like people to get in touch with him about any concerns they may have about horses in the area.

Visit www.damiangreen.co.uk/contact for details.