A HORSE lover from Worcestershire has joined a nationwide appeal to help dozens of neglected animals which were found in Buckinghamshire.

Becky Bennett, from Stourport-upon-Severn, has agreed to collect donations of money and horse-related equipment from people in Worcestershire to be sent to help the 84 horses rescued recently from a field in Amersham.

Police officers and animal charity RSPCA discovered more than 30 dead horses, ponies and donkeys at the site and took the rest, which were suffering from neglect, to animal sanctuaries.

Miss Bennett, aged 24, who owns a horse and two ponies, decided to help after seeing an appeal, named Operation Esther after the youngest donkey foal found at the site, set up by readers of Horse and Hounds magazine.

She said: "It's just to stand up and be counted. Everybody has been quick to criticise the RSPCA for the way they handle things and the farm involved but no one seems to be able to do anything.

"Apart from the donations, it's to raise awareness of these things as well."

Miss Bennett, who has ridden horses since she was five-years-old and owned her first horse at the age of 16, has asked anyone who wants to donate to contact her and arrange it with her.

She said: "I'm in Stourport and I'm working with someone who is doing the same in the West Midlands.

"People can either arrange to drop items off or we can collect them."

Miss Bennett said anything including rugs, hay, feed, bedding, head collars, veterinary supplies or money would be useful. Anyone who wants to donate should contact Miss Bennett on worcestercp@hotmail.com or visit www.operationesther.com before Saturday, January 26.