POLICE are investigating an apparent arson attack on a company that provides horse drawn funeral corteges.

Around £350,000 worth of damage was caused in the blaze, which happened in Murthering Lane, Navestock.

A woman was first alerted to the fire when she heard her horses becoming agitated in their stables at a farm nearby.

She then discovered the blaze, in which three horseboxes and three carriages were engulfed by flames.

No horses were injured.

It happened at around 9.30pm on Monday December 6 but police have only released further details this week.

A person was seen acting suspiciously in the area and police are examining CCTV in an attempt to identify them.

Officers are awaiting results from forensic tests but in the meantime are appealing for information from anyone who was in the area and remembers seeing anyone.

Anyone with information about who may be responsible is urged to contact Pc Craig Hartgen at Brentwood on 0300 333 4444 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.