TWO prize winning Shetland ponies and a show horse have died in an alleged arson attack on their stable despite a desperate bid by their owners to save them from the flames.

Ponies Ellen and Marina and show hunter horse Ben failed to escape when the stable in Godscroft Lane, Frodsham, turned into an impenetrable wall of fire and smoke.

Grieving owners Liz and David Gray, of Williams Way, Frodsham, are trying to come to terms with the loss, with the help of stable cat Moustique, the only survivor from the blaze.

Liz, 60, a show judge and successful competitor who retired from her job as senior librarian in Helsby in May to spend more time with her horses, compares their death with the loss of children.

'I feel we've lost our past, our present and our future, we are completely wrecked and empty and in the mornings - I think 'what's the point of getting up?' I just feel this totally empty void.'

The couple's ordeal began at 9.55am last Friday, as David, 64, drove Liz to the stables next to Helsby High School as normal to ride and groom Ben, Marina and Ellen.

Said Liz: 'We were driving along the main road and saw all this smoke, it was so thick and black.

Apparently I started screaming - I didn't realise I was doing it at that point.

'The outside gate was chained and locked so I don't know how I got over it but I ran up closer and couldn't believe what I saw - it was just a wall of fire. If David hadn't stopped me I would have kept running.'

Fire crews arrived seconds later, having been alerted to the fire by a dog walker, and began to extinguish the fire using pressurised hose reels.

As Liz became hysterical at what she saw, David made a desperate attempt to rescue youngest pony Ellen, whose stable was furthest away from the source of the fire.

He said: 'I went to get Ellen's stable door open but I couldn't - there was a wall of flames and a terrible amount of smoke. I took my jacket off and put it over my head to go back in but I was beaten back by the flames and smoke and just couldn't reach the door.'

FOUR male youths were arrested on suspicion of arson and robbery in Frodsham and Helsby on Friday morning.

A Cheshire Police spokesperson said: '

After the fire a burglary occurred at a premises on Old Chester Road and a car was stolen which at 11.05 was involved in a vehicle collision.'

A 17, 16 and 19-year-old have been arrested on suspicion of arson and a further 16-year-old was arrested on suspicion of arson and burglary.

They have been released on police bail and will report back to the police station in December.

Friends of Liz and David have set up an appeal fund to help them rebuild the stable building, which was uninsured. Donations of money or suitable building supplies will be gratefully received. For more details contact Pauline Scott on 01928 733305.