Lincolnshire horse charity warns of long recovery after Storm Babet

Bransby Horses, which was founded in 1968, houses 300 rescued horses, ponies, donkeys and mules

A horse charity said it could take months to recover from flooding it suffered during Storm Babet.

Land used by Bransby Horses, near Lincoln, is allowed to flood to protect the city during periods of heavy rain.

The Environment Agency (EA) and charity have an agreement over the use of floodgates which prevent water reaching communities.

But nearing a month on from the storm, the charity said 40% of its grazing land was still waterlogged.

The EA said the use of the washlands helped to protect about 7,000 properties in the local area from river flooding during Storm Babet.

Repair work is ongoing following Storm Babet, which caused widespread flooding and disruption in Lincolnshire

Bransby Horses rescues and rehabilitates animals, with the charity relying on donations.

Laura Canfield, from the charity, said staff were given warning before the paddocks were flooded. The charity had to move 100 horses in the space of a couple of hours.

"We received a month's worth of rainfall within 24 hours and we're now still waiting for that water to fall," she said.

The charity, founded in 1968, houses 300 rescued horses, ponies, donkeys and mules.

Staff said while they supported the Environment Agency's decision to flood the land, the charity did not receive any compensation.

Bransby Horses, near Lincoln, says about 40% of its land remained waterlogged

Repair work is ongoing following the storm, with flooded woodchip areas remaining unusable.

Ms Canfield described it as a "waiting game", with new rescues having to be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

"Horses have individual plans for medication and behaviour training, and all of this has had to change," she said.

An EA spokesperson said: "We sympathise with those who have been affected by the impacts of the recent storms.

"We work closely with landowners whose land falls within the washlands and will continue to support local communities."

Storm Babet caused widespread flooding and disruption across the county, with around 600 properties flooded.