The founder of a horse sanctuary that was set up 30 years ago after a dead horse was discovered on Rainham Marshes is angry that another animal has been left rotting in a field for over a month.

Sue Burton from Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary in Brentwood has slammed the authorities for not removing the horse in Lower Bedfords Road, Noak Hill.

She said: “We find it particularly distressing that this animal died in unknown conditions yet no one seems to care about it.”

Sue came across the rotting body of the horse last week. Despite calls to Havering Council’s StreetCare department, the horse is still in the field with other horses.

Resident Beverley Banks-Barron also saw the horse and called the RSPCA, but no action was taken.

Sue said: “It is in a ditch so it is an environmental issue.

“It is distressing for the members of the public who keep seeing it and it is unpleasant for the other horses who are also in the field.”

Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary was founded after the Recorder published a photograph of a dead horse in Rainham Marshes.

The charity provides lifetime help and care for horses, donkeys and other large farm animals, who are victims of physical or mental abuse.

Sue said: “It was that photo that led to Remus being formed and here we are 30 years later with a similar photo – has anything really changed?”.

A spokesman for the RSPCA said: “It is the remit of the local authority to remove dead animals from public spaces like this and that information should have been clearly explained over the phone.

“As an animal welfare charity the RSPCA does not have the resources to provide a disposal of dead animals service which is already allocated within the local authorities budget.”

Councillor Lesley Kelly, Cabinet Member with responsibility for public protection: “We are really sorry to hear that there is a dead horse in a field off Lower Bedfords Road.

“We are in the process of removing it, which will be done as soon as possible.”