FLY-tippers are endangering a wild herd of more than 30 horses in a 60-acre network of fields and woodland at West End.

Now, the worried owner of the mares and three generations of foals are pleading with people to help by informing the authorities about anyone seen dumping rubbish in the fields.

Plastic sheeting, old paint pots, chairs, boxes, timber and even an old bath have been abandoned in the fields off Quob Lane which have been repeatedly targeted.

But Nigel Long, who has been looking after the herd for seven years, said: "Besides the problem of doing a clear-up operation and the cost involved, it is whether the horses are going to injure themselves on any of the rubbish that has been dumped.

"We have been in touch with Environmental Health, who seem to be unable to help, and the police are aware.

"We are obviously coming down and keeping a close watch as well, but we can't be here 24-hours a day. I would ask anybody who sees people fly-tipping to take details of any registration number and contact police."

Mr Long said the herd belonged to Beth Davies, a friend, who runs Quob Stables in Durley. He visits the horses on a daily basis.

This year's foals had recently been removed from the field leaving 30 horses on the site, which was again targeted by tippers this week.

"It has been an on-going problem. We managed to stop it for several months by putting barbed wire at the gate and padlocking it," said Mr Long. "But padlocks have been cut off and there was a danger of the horses getting out."

An Eastleigh Borough Council spokesman said: "The Environmental Protection Act makes the land owner responsible for the removal of fly-tipped material from their land."

But he added: "The council's direct services street care team regularly has to clear tipped material from verges in Quob Lane."