THE owner of a animal petting farm is waiting for answers after fences were broken by horse riders taking part in a hunt

Nicky Ives, who owns Vurlands Animal Farm and The Eggcup, in Swyre, has been left feeling angry after hunt riders came onto her land.

The farm sits on the B3157 coast road and is a popular destination with families in west Dorset as the business also provides a soft children's play centre.

Mrs Ives said: "We are currently speaking to representatives of the hunt group while police carry on with their investigation."

It is said the incident was witnessed by visitors and the hunt involved had promised to repair any damage.

Dorset Police said its rural crime team had visited the scene and is continuing to liaise with the owners.

In a Facebook post to its customers, the farm said: "We at Vurlands Farm are in no way affiliated with the hunt that broke onto the farm (or any hunt for that matter).

"We're sorry that some of you had to witness this and we are all just as angry as you will be.

"We are in contact with said hunt, who have assured us that a thorough investigation is underway, our broken fences and any animal injuries shall be covered by them.

"Although this isn't enough to cover the distress, we can but hope that it's a start to stopping this ever happening again."

A spokeswoman from Dorset Police said: "The matter has been reported to police and officers from the rural crime team have visited the site and are liaising with the owners."

The incident comes after the soft play centre had to temporarily close in due to flood damage on October 31 last year.

At the time, Mrs Ives said it was the first time the centre had been flooded, which she blamed on intense rain within a short period of time.