An animal welfare charity says it'll throw in the towel and leave its site near Maidstone after being targeted in an arson attack over the weekend.

When Sarah Daniell of Pukka Ponies Equine Rescue arrived at her field in Dean Street, East Farleigh on Sunday, she found the charity's storage barn was burnt to the ground.

She said: "When we arrived at the field we found the timber building where we keep everything was a pile of ash."

Luckily no animals were hurt in the blaze, but the yard cats were left homeless and have been moved to Pukka Ponies' Rainham branch. Chickens kept by the volunteers will have to be rehomed.

Pukka Ponies was set up about five years ago to take on, rehabilitate and rehome small horses and ponies abandoned in Kent.

In an emotional post on the group's Facebook page, the charity said the fire had been an 'absolutely devastating blow' for the charity, destroying emergency medical supplies, wormers, head collars, reins, grooming equipment and even CCTV installed following previous thefts.

It added: "The building itself was the most valuable thing lost, due to thefts in the past we leave nothing of significant value, and just enough feed for a few days at a time."

The fire comes days after shocking pictures emerged of dead horses supposedly abandoned in Woodland near Teston.

Pukka Ponies is appealing for help from anyone who can help secure the future of its animals. Anyone with space to foster or even adopt a Pukka Pony for three months or knows about where they can find new 15+ acre site near Maidstone with stables and storage is asked to get in touch.

Anyone who can help is asked to contact the charity through its Facebook page here.

Alternatively you can make a donation via bank transfer to account name Pukka Ponies Equine Rescue, number 79852545, sort code 09-01-28; donate via paypal using pukkaponies@hotmail.co.uk

The fire is believed to have been set sometime between 5pm on Saturday, November 12 and 1.40pm the following afternoon.

A spokesman for Kent Police said: "At present no arrests have been made however enquiries are ongoing."

Anyone who believes they may have information on the cause is asked to call detectives on 01622 604100 quoting YY/025360/16. Alternatively contact Kent Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.