A Burnham equestrian centre is holding its annual memorial ride this weekend to remember the 12 horses who died in a suspected arson attack four years ago.

The horse riders are taking to the streets of Burnham this Sunday (5 December) to honour the animals who died in the fire at Elmwood Equestrian Centre on 3 December 2017.

Firefighters spent eight hours tackling the blaze, which tragically killed 12 horses and one barn cat at the centre.

Many other horses were saved by passers-by who noticed the blaze and alerted the fire service, who later confirmed that the incident is believed to have been started deliberately.

No one has been caught for the suspected arson attack.

A fundraiser set up in the aftermath of the blaze for the centre smashed its original £1,000 target to raise over £20,000, which was used to rebuild the yard and fund supplies and vet bills for the surviving horses.

Grace Tredgold and Ciera Battson have been organising an annual memorial ride in Burnham to pay tribute to the horses ever since, which always sees residents come out in force to support the centre.

Grace said: "Myself and my best friends lost horses in that fire, and every year do something to remember them by - especially as no one was caught for the crime."

She added: "This will be the fourth ride and it is in memory of those we lost as well as raising awareness that no one has yet been caught for this crime."

The riders will leave Elmwood, at Elm Farm House on Maldon Road, at 11am on Sunday morning.

They will go up Maldon Road to Marsh Road, loop round and come back on Wick Road, up to Riverside Road onto Burnham-on-Crouch High Street and back to Elmwood via Maldon Road.

The ride will take around two-and-a-half hours, and will reach the High Street at around 12.45pm - all residents are encouraged to attend.

Grace said: "Please come and support us and show everyone Burnham hasn't forgotten that horrible night, and get people talking again for justice.

"Rest in peace Archie, Diamond, Rex, Willow, Murphy, Gizmo, Rio, Priya, Minnie, Zinnie, Alisha, Poppy and Vinnie."