A stables which homes retired racehorses has been destroyed after a suspected arson attack.

Debbie Sinclair, who rents the land for the stables, is now trying to raise funds to help rebuild Gildenhill Stud Farm in Swanley.

Debbie said: "The horses were very traumatised after being turfed out of their own stables and from the explosions. It would have been terrifying.

"Everything is gone. It is total devastation. All that is left is fencing and the horses.

"The winter is the worst possible time for it to happen – the horses have no shelter."

The 14 horses living in the yard at the time were let out into the field and were not hurt.

Two have since left the site as their owner was worried for their safety.

Debbie, 55 and from Sidcup, added: "My friend arrived at about eight in the morning and saw that it was all still smoking.

"Nobody would have any reason to be there. It is off the beaten track so there would have been no reason.

"It was endangering life. Someone could have been sleeping in one of the caravans."

The site has caravans for owners and visitors to use when tending to the animals but they are sometimes used overnight if horses need extra care.

Debbie is looking to rebuild the stables as soon as possible but said she is "at the mercy of the weather" and added they would not be replacing the caravans.

Gildenhill Stud Farm, in Church Road, is run by Debbie and is her "passion project".

She looks after retired racehorses out of her own pocket but the farm is used by other horse owners for their own animals.

Police are investigating and say it happened between 3pm on Wednesday, December 22 and 8am on Thursday, December 23.

Officers are urging anyone with information to call the appeal line on 01622 604100, quoting crime reference 46/263756/21.

You can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or complete the online form on its website.

If you would like to help with the rebuilding of Gildenhill Stud Farm you can donate to its fundraiser here. At the time of writing, it had raised more than £4,800.