Four young horses that were victims of one of the worst cases of neglect ever seen by the RSPCA are starting a new life at a stables in Norfolk.

Jerry, Twiggy, Hamish and Leo were kept in appalling conditions by a Buckinghamshire horse dealer and were close to starvation when they were rescued along with another 100 horses, ponies and donkeys three years ago.

After being nursed back to health by an RSPCA volunteer, they are now enjoying the kind of life they could only dream of at Tamsin Conyers' Weston Equestrian Centre in Weston Longville, near Taverham.

Many of the survivors came straight to Norfolk to be nursed back to health and rehabilitated at World Horse Welfare at Snetterton and Redwings Horse Sanctuary at Hapton, near Long Stratton.

Last year, 37 of the horses were felt to be recovered enough to be rehomed and an adoption appeal saw the charity inundated by 1,500 responses from the public. As a result, new homes were found for a further 80 horses which had been rescued by the RSPCA from elsewhere.

Miss Conyers said they had all recovered incredibly well. 'People think they will be so traumatised, but they have been cared for for two years by really good people. We now have lovely healthy ponies ready to get going and enjoy life.' RSPCA equine rehoming officer Sally Learoyd said: 'We had a massive response to the Amersham appeal and we would like to thank everyone who supported us. The horses are doing well in brilliant homes. They have had a long and difficult journey, but now have great futures ahead of them. It is wonderful to see.'

Above: Four of the Amersham rescued ponies, living a lovely life with Tamsin Conyers, owner of the Weston Equestrian Centre at Weston Longville; where they can now be used for riding lessons. From left, Twiggy, 4; Leo, 5; Jerry, 5; and Hamish, 5.