A computer hacker wrecked an animal hospital’s website on its 40th birthday.

The cyber-vandal struck on Brent Lodge Wildlife Trust’s website.

The trust, at Cow Lane, Sidlesham, near Chichester, cares for injured animals before releasing them back into the wild.

The website – which gets 1,000 hits a week – had all its details replaced with the message “Taken away by the little animals at Brent Lodge”.

Three volunteers spent two days trying to retrieve the lost website.

Dennis Fenter, who founded the hospital, said: “I am sickened by this attack on our website.

“Because of the message they left, the hackers obviously knew we are a wildlife charity.” The hospital has treated animals from areas between Southampton and Eastbourne, and south of the M25.

Last weekend, it threw open its doors to visitors to celebrate its 40th anniversary.

For more information, or to contact the hospital about an injured animal, call 01243 641672, or visit www.brentlodge.org.