AN angry horse owner from Dalton says her animals could have been killed if the flames from a torched trailer had spread to her stables.

Police are investigating the arson of an empty horse trailer which was parked outside a field in the St Helen's area off Askam Road/Romney Park, in Dalton, at around 9pm on Monday.

Luckily, the fire was spotted quickly and the alarm was raised, as two horses were standing in wooden stables just feet away from the flames.

Firefighters from Barrow and Ulverston found the trailer well alight and extinguished the fire, which they found to have been started deliberately.

A group of youths are believed to have been seen in the area at the time. Police are investigating a number of photographs which were posted on social media which are alleged to show individuals at the scene with the trailer.

Paulyn Whetstone, who owns the trailer and the horses, is thankful to friend Victoria Wilding who saw the fire early, called 999, and moved Mrs Whetstone's horses, George and Mildred, from the stables which were 6ft away.

She is also grateful to the fire service for their quick response.

Mrs Whetstone is, however, angry at the arsonists. She said: "When I found out, I hotfooted it over there, the horses were only 6ft away and they were in the stables. If the fire had spread, they could have been killed. They could have burnt alive.

"I'm lucky that it did not spread, it could have been terrible if the fire had not been seen as quickly.

"I'm angry, these are mindless vandals."

Mrs Whetstone, the owner of Scruffy2Fluffy pet grooming in Barrow, had had a rewarding day on Sunday rescuing dogs from Wales and rehoming them with new owners. Then she had the drama of the fire.

Her trailer is valued at £2,500 but her insurance does not cover for arson.

Friends have started a GoFundMe collection for Mrs Whetstone. She is also a committee member with Ulverston and District Equine Club and the club is organising a raffle fundraiser for her at its event next month.

Ms Whetstone said she is "truly amazed" and "very very touched" by all the support and this has restored her "faith in humans".