A man was injured early today rescuing four horses from blazing stables after a suspected arson attack on a country estate.

One of the horses, a gelding called Biff, was today being treated by vets. He suffered severe burns and may be blinded in one eye. His condition is critical.

Adam Bloomfield, who lives at Nashlands Farm, on the Hyde Estate, Handcross, was woken by the crackling sound of the fire at 1.15am today.

He saw fire tearing through the stables and made a 999 call before racing outside to try to save the four terrified animals inside.

One had managed to escape but three remained trapped by a wall of flames.

Mr Bloomfield, a graphic designer who rents out the stables next to his home, battled through the smoke and heat to free them.

He said: "I had to go into the stables through the fire. Two horses were OK but the last one refused to come out. I put my arm up to my face to protect myself from the flames and led him out."

As firefighters began to tackle the blaze an emergency vet treated injured Biff at the scene.

The young horse was transported to an equine hospital at Liphook in Hampshire.

Mr Bloomfield, who was treated for burns to his arms and face at the Princess Royal Hospital, said: "I'm horrified anyone could do this knowing there were animals inside.

"They're not my horses but when you see anything in trouble your immediate reaction is to rush to save it."

Police are treating the blaze, which took three crews from Crawley an hour to bring under control, as arson.

When fire crews arrived, a third of the stables had already been wrecked and the fire was swiftly spreading to adjacent buildings and the tack room.

Firefighters pumped water from a nearby lake to douse the flames.

Sandy Dennett, who looks after the horses at the stable, said: "It's just awful. If whoever started this fire let the horses out first it would be bad enough but to leave them in there was inhuman. I can't understand it.

"We don't know what will happen to Biff yet. He had bad burns and we're waiting to hear more news."

A police spokesman said: "We are treating this as arson. There is no reason why a fire like this would start."

Anyone with information should contact PC Richard Wooding at Haywards Heath station on 0845 6070999.