THE MANAGER of a Blackpool horse sanctuary has condemned heartless thieves who stole a quad bike and trailer from the centre on Thursday night.

Penny Farm manager, Tony Fleming, said thousands of pounds may now have to be spent on CCTV cameras and other security measures for the Peel Hill centre after the theft between 6.30pm and 8.15pm on May 13.

The red Honda quad, and the Ifor Williams aluminium trailer which belonged to the RSPCA, were replacements for a previous bike and trailer stolen from the centre almost exactly one year ago.

The 4x4 automatic quad, with the chassis number TRX 350 FE3, and the single axle trailer, were together worth about £7,000, police said.

Although the equipment was insured, the International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH) run sanctuary may now have to find around £400 from charity funds for a concreted-in clamp for another quad, and £4-5,000 for CCTV.

Penny Farm is currently home to 56 horses and ponies rescued from abandonment and neglect. Although a local business is generously lending equipment, a new quad bike will be needed, Tony said.

"We use it for going out and feeding the horses in the field.

"It's always in use," he explained.

"You just don't expect people to steal from a charity.

"Whoever did this knew what they wanted because there's all sorts of gear that they just left."

He said staff and volunteers were upset by the theft, adding: "Security costs a fortune but it's something we are going to have to look at again.

"There are alarms in the buildings, and people living on site, but you can't expect the volunteer girls to respond to an alarm."

Blackpool Police urged anyone with any information about the theft to contact them on Blackpool 293933, quoting reference AL 2169.

nmasters@blackpoolcitizen.co.uk