Man and up to 10 horses dead after fire at stables

A man and around 10 horses have died after a stables and nearby caravan were destroyed by fire.

Three engines and at least 15 firefighters attended the blaze after being called to the Shorrocks Hill Country Club in Lifeboat Road in Formby, Merseyside, by a member of the public at 5.30am on Thursday morning.

The body of a man, who has not been formally identified, was discovered inside the gutted caravan as firefighters battled to bring the flames under control.

Around 10 horses are thought to have perished in the blaze, a Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service spokesman estimated, adding that no animals in the stables survived.

The cause of the man's death is not yet known and a joint Merseyside Police and fire service investigation is under way.

It took fire crews an hour to get the blaze under control, and emergency services remain at the scene.

Anyone with information should contact Merseyside Police on 0151 777 3055, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.