A charity is caring for scores of horses saved from death by the RSPCA after a trader left them to die.

They were found in a field with 31 dead horses, ponies and donkeys in Amersham, Buckinghamshire. Three other animals had to be put down when the RSPCA arrived at the site.

The RSPCA launched an operation to remove the 80 surviving horses and taken to sanctuaries.

Officers described how dozens of dead horses had been piled up against fences.

Rob Skinner, from the RSPCA, said: "I've seen some very gruesome things in the RSPCA in my time, but this is a very serious case."

The Horse Trust is looking after many of the worst affected animals at The Home of Rest for Horses sanctuary in Speen in Buckinghamshire, where they are being tested for disease.

Among them are ten young colts and geldings, a blind dun mare and three donkeys including a six-month-old foal.

Thames Valley Police said that a man was arrested on separate police charges and is due to appear before Aylesbury magistrates on Monday.

James Gray, 44, from Amersham, was charged with criminal damage and assault on a police officer and released on bail, a spokesman said.

Police would not confirm Gray's connection with the operation.

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