A SANCTUARY for physically ill and mistreated horses played host to a pair of famous actors yesterday.Former Professionals hard man Martin Shaw was joined by Woman of Substance star Jenny Seagrove for the special visit.

By Roddy Ashworth

A SANCTUARY for physically ill and mistreated horses played host to a pair of famous actors yesterday.

Former Professionals hard man Martin Shaw was joined by Woman of Substance star Jenny Seagrove for the special visit.

The duo, currently seen acting together in the BBC TV drama Judge John Deed, took time from their schedules to look around the 25-acre Willow Tree Sanctuary for horses in Finchingfield, a charity of which Ms Seagrove is a patron.

Both visited the facility to show their support for its work and also to draw attention to its plans to expand.

These would see a further 60 acres of land fenced and the creation of a special pool for underwater physiotherapy for some of the 30-or-so horses staying there at any one time.

The Finchingfield sanctuary was opened in 2005 after the success of the Willow Tree sanctuary for dogs and cats, which was set up in 1971 by Pamela Townsend in nearby Gainsford End.

Yesterday Sara Ross, who works at the centre with her husband Alan, said: “We hope this will raise general awareness of the work we do.”

Mrs Ross said that anyone who wanted to make a donation or sponsor a horse should contact her at the sanctuary, the address of which is Mill Farm, Mill Lane, Finchingfield, Braintree, Essex.