Essex horse sanctuary 'inundated' with abandoned animals

An Essex horse sanctuary has said it has been "inundated" with animals that are being dumped in fields to "fly-graze" without the permission of landowners.

Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary, near Ingatestone, has had to turn away horses and said the recent floods have made conditions worse for abandoned animals.

The RSPCA said most of the horses are not micro-chipped so the owners cannot be traced.

The government has said it is looking for ways to tighten laws to stop horses being deserted.

Cordelia Hemming reports.