A FAMILY has been left 'shaken, shocked and scared' after their stables were torched overnight, destroying three classic cars and family heirlooms.

The family, who live near Puncknowle, are fearful that those responsible for the attack, which completely destroyed their barn, two stables and tack room, could target them again.

Kitty, 42, discovered the charred debris of her parents' barn still smouldering on Sunday morning.

"I went down to feed the horses and check on them and I noticed it looked different through the trees. I got there and it was smoking still. I quickly checked the horses and could see all three of them in the field. We had it so they could go inside if they wanted to or go into the field, so luckily they were able to run away from the fire."

After checking on the welfare of the horses, Kitty alerted her parents and called police. Firefighters also attended to damp down the site. She is now urging anyone who saw anything to contact police and to remain vigilant.

"We just want to alert people that there is someone around who will deliberately set fire to things," said Kitty. "We don't know if they still would have done it if the horses where in there, we don't know if it's random or if we have been targeted or if it was kids and their idea of fun. We just don't know. People need to be alert. We are shaken, shocked and scared and we don't know if we are to expect anything else. We're confused as to why somebody would do this."

The barn, which was built by Kitty's father, contained heirlooms of sentimental value. "They weren't valuable but they meant something to us," said Kitty. "We feel isolated and we just feel like victims and nobody can help us. Somebody must have seen something. If anyone did, please tell the police."

A spokesman for Dorset Police confirmed they were called to the stable block shortly after 9am on Sunday after receiving a report of a suspected arson.

The spokesman said: "It was reported that the fire had occurred between 6pm the previous evening and 9am that morning. There were no animals in the stables at the time of the fire, which destroyed the building and its contents, including three classic cars.

"Officers are continuing to investigate the incident. No arrests have been made at this stage."