A MISSING racehorse's heartbroken owners today renewed their appeal for information as the search for the £25,000 thoroughbred was stepped up by police.

Lionel and Kath Snowden, who head the Sabden-based Valley Paddocks Racing syndicate, have received hundreds of telephone calls from worried members and neighbours following the theft on Wednesday afternoon.

Nine-year-old National Hunt steeplechaser Woodbridge was taken from a field at Wiswell Moor Bottom Farm off Whalley Road between 1pm and 1.30pm while the family were having lunch. They were alerted to the theft by another horse which began whinneying for his friend.

One witness remembered seeing two men loading a horse box on Whalley Road at about the same time.

Sgt Jean Sanderson, of Clitheroe Police, said: "We have had a good response from the public and are following up new leads as they come in. We would urge anyone who has the horse for whatever reason to give it back or tell us where it is. "If they have a gripe or argument then come and talk to us about it but give the horse back."

Sgt Sanderson said the police were not aware of any reason for the theft.

She added: "It's a very strange thing indeed. We would hope to be able to trace the horse but it depends on whoever is responsible for the theft. If they dump him we will get him back but if he goes to a slaughterhouse there's nothing we can do."

Mrs Snowden thanked everyone who had called the stables in support.

She said: "Everyone has been brilliant and the publicity surrounding the theft has turned up some important new leads for the police but meanwhile we are just sat by the telephone waiting for any news.

"We have a national organisation monitoring horse sales around the country but we feel so helpless and are considering travelling to some of them ourselves."

Police have issued a description of one of the men seen in the area at the time. He is white, in his 40s, about 5ft 6ins tall and stocky with grey hair and moustache.

He was driving a light grey Volvo car with a single trailer.

Woodbridge is a 17.2hh bay gelding with a white star on his forehead.

Police have put an all-ports alert. Anyone with any information should contact Valley Paddocks Racing on 01254 824044 or Clitheroe Police on 01200 443344.

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