A Norfolk-based animal welfare charity has welcomed news that the immediate future of more than 100 rescued equines has been secured.Officials from the International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH) spoke of their anger last week after 29 donkeys and ponies were ordered to be returned to a family accused of causing unnecessary suffering to their animals at a farm in Amersham, Buckinghamshire.

A Norfolk-based animal welfare charity has welcomed news that the immediate future of more than 100 rescued equines has been secured.

Officials from the International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH) spoke of their anger last week after 29 donkeys and ponies were ordered to be returned to a family accused of causing unnecessary suffering to their animals at a farm in Amersham, Buckinghamshire.

A district judge at Oxford Magistrates' Court also ordered that further 82 horses, donkeys and ponies currently under the care of the RSPCA and other equine charities were to be sold at auction.

But the ILPH at Snetterton and Redwings Horse Sanctuary at Hapton, near Long Stratton, which are looking after a total of 31 animals from the Amersham farm have now been told that the equines can stay following the submission of a High Court appeal by the RSPCA.

Hannah Rowley, spokeswoman for the ILPH, said the charity was “delighted” that the immediate future of all 111 horses, ponies and donkeys rescued from the Amersham farm had been secured.

“The eleven horses we have been caring for since January are amongst the 82 due to be sold by public auction. They have thrived in ILPH care and it would be the worst possible outcome for these horses and the staff who have been looking after them if they had to be sold in this way.

“We will continue to liaise closely with the RSPCA and support them in their efforts to appeal the decision at the High Court,” she said.

James Gray, 44, Julie Gray, 40, Cordelia Gray, 19, and Jodie Gray, 25, all of Spindle Farm, Amersham, have denied 12 charges of animal cruelty.