Rescuers discovered 250 dogs, many dead, in a shed with no windows.

The grisly find came after breeder Elizabeth Stevens, 73, died of a stroke on Sunday.

Many of the animals were in cages so small they could not stand up. Experts described the scene as the "worst conditions ever seen".

Animal rescue charities from across the South-East were called to the outhouse behind Mrs Stevens' cottage in Malthouse Lane, Hurstpierpoint.

They found cages stuffed full of old newspapers and covered in excrement.

One dog was living in a four-inch gap between the newspapers and the top of its cage and had to lie on its side.

Several were found dead and some of the rescued dogs are being treated for eye infections.

Volunteer Lisa Gooch, of Brighton Animal Action, said: "They were the worst conditions I've ever seen. There was excrement everywhere and some of the dogs were dead. We were sifting through piles of newspaper and rubbish to see if there were any more dead or dying dogs underneath."

More than 80 dogs have been taken in by Celia Hammond, founder of the Celia Hammond Animal Trust, who is appealing for donations to help meet the cost of vets' bills.

She said: "A lot of them have eye problems and ulcers. Some of them can barely stand up and their fur is matted and covered in excrement.

"It's going to cost us a huge amount of money to bring them back to health and of course we have to find homes for them."

Mrs Stevens' son Chris said: "My mum lost her father and my dad many years ago. The dogs were her only reason for getting up in the morning. She loved those animals."

More dogs were taken in by the Kit Wilson Trust For Animal Welfare and by Worthing and District Animal Rescue Service.