HORSES in the flood-hit Mardyke Valley are still there – despite Thurrock Council announcing the animals would be moved.

The Gazette told last week how the council was going to act after extreme pressure from campaigners, who gathered an 8,000-strong petition, including 6,000 signatures in a day.

Now the council is appealing to the public to help find an alternative home for them.

A council spokesman said: “The authority is searching for alternative grazing land and would ask anybody with suitable fields to contact it on 01375 652253, or e-mail lands@thurrock.gov.uk.

“It has ensured the animals are on dry and higher land in the valley.”