The owner of four show horses that were burned to death has slammed the arsonists who killed ‘her babies’.

Mary Howarth, 60, said the attack on her stables had destroyed decades of hard work and breeding.

And she told how she bravely battled large flames to rescue three other horses.

Firefighters, who fought the blaze for two hours from 11.30pm on Monday, helped her bring two of them to safety.

But they were unable to save the other four.

Detectives have launched an investigation into the blaze.

Firefighters said that Sough Farm stable blocks in Northumberland Close, off Cranberry Lane, Darwen, had been specifically targeted as there were several seats of fire.

The stable doors had also been ‘ripped off their hinges’, firefighters said.

The scene was cordoned off yesterday while forensic teams carried out their investigations.

A 17-year-old boy and a man, 18, have been arrested on suspicion of arson.

One of the horses killed was due to compete in the Royal Welsh show on Saturday.

Mrs Howarth, of Cranberry Close, Darwen, said: “My daughter was at the stables at about 10.30pm and the fire brigade was called at about 11.30pm, so it’s happened within the space of an hour.

“My neighbour came to tell me what was going on, and I grabbed my coat and shoes and ran down dialling 999.

“When I got there, the fire engines were already there, so somebody else must have called them.

“The flames were 20ft high. I got one pony out of the stables and rescued two more from further away from the fire, but the others had no chance.”

She said those responsible were “sick” and added: “Set my table on fire, but don’t do this, don’t burn the babies.

“I am insured, but you can’t get the same pony back.

“They are as individual as people.”

“I’m totally devastated.

“It was my 60th birthday as well. What a present I’ve been given.”

The horses killed were a 12-year-old Highland called Billy Bunter, a coloured yearling gelding called Murphy, yearling filly called Goldy and a yearling filly called Lizzy Lou.

Wendy Dewhurst, 40, from Woodville Terrace, Darwen, owned Goldy, who was to compete at the Royal Welsh Show.

She said: “I put 11 years breeding into that horse. A lot of hard work.

“She was a really valuable pony for show purposes.

“I am devastated. The stables can be rebuilt but I can’t breed that pony again.”

The rescued horses have gone to stables belonging to friends of Mrs Howarth.

Peter McLintock, of Northumberland Close, saw the drama unfold.

He said: “I’ve never seen flames so big. We were fearing for our house. It was that bad.

“It’s a shame, really sad.”

Crew manager Steve Morgan, from Darwen Fire Station, said: “We were met by the owner of the stables, who was in a distraught state, and then a lot of people, including horse owners started to turn up, trying to get the horses out.

“We rescued three horses that were put in a paddock and looked over by a vet, but the other four were dead when we got there.”

Detective Inspector Andy Hulme said: "We are appealing for any witnesses who saw anybody acting suspiciously in the Northumberland Close area between 10pm and 11.30pm to contact police.”

Call police on 01254 51212 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.