A mare with distinctive brown and white markings has been stolen from a rescue centre where she lived with her foal.

Heidi is 10-years-old and was saved by The Retreat Animal Rescue Centre in High Halden several years ago after being badly mistreated.

She disappeared from a field with more than 40 horses and appears to have been picked out.

Fredericka Durham, who is know as Fred, works at the centre and said: "Because Heidi has been cruelly treated in the past she can be difficult to handle and would have kicked out if anyone tried to take her.

"She would have never left her foal Esther who is 14-months-old and still goes to her mum for a feed occasionally.

"I don't know how whoever took Heidi got hold of her, unless she had been given something to sedate her."

The mare disappeared on Wednesday night, or very early Thursday morning, and staff at The Retreat are desperate to find her so that she can be reunited with her foal.

Fred said: "The devastating thing is that she has already had a bad start in life and she was happy at The Retreat and we are all worried that she is suffering again."

The incident has been reported to police who have issued a crime reference number ZY/19919/16.

Anyone who may have seen Heidi is asked to call The Retreat on 07538 895467.