A horse rescue centre in the Wye Valley is closing as a 'temporary emergency measure', citing "mounting local pressure".

Following a crisis meeting held on Wednesday 19th December, the Happa board of directors are shutting down operations at Gregory Farm, their equine rescue and rehabilitation centre in Brockweir.

The charity is currently considering its future at the site although no final decision has yet been made and will not be made until an internal consultation process is complete.

Happa hoped to be able to continue running the centre while this process is on-going but say recent events have forced temporary closure to protect staff living and working on site and to ensure there is no risk to equine welfare by "misguided supporters".

Happa's chairman Ken Cranage, is very concerned about recent events.

"Every responsible charity trustee has an obligation to effectively manage their charity and my board take full responsibility for doing their best to ensure the future sustainability of Happa," he said.

"Sometimes this means making minor adjustments to operations and sometimes this means considering more radical changes.

"We are currently reviewing our position at Gregory Farm but until further staff consultations have taken place no decision can be made as to how we will eventually proceed.

"Despite stating earlier in the process that we will circulate further information as soon as a decision has been made, speculation and rumour continues to grow and local feelings are running high.

"Our staff are being publically, and at times quite personally castigated for doing their job as instructed by the board but recent abusive behaviour towards local management is now putting unacceptable pressure on staff members and highlights potential risks to the horses remaining on site.

"We have a duty of care to our staff and our animals and as a result now feel that we have no option other than the temporary closure of Gregory Farm as an emergency measure."

A number of horses from Gregory Farm have already been relocated to the charity's Northern Centre and HQ near Burnley to ease the pressure at the centre.

Winter is always a busy time with more horses stabled and additional care required for those that are turned out and the centre is currently running with an incomplete management team as the centre manager is on maternity leave and several attempts to recruit a temporary replacement have proved unsuccessful.

The charity says the temporary closure will not affect processes currently in progress and "should not be seen as anything other than a short term solution in the best interests of our staff and horses".

Remaining horses will be transferred and the site will be secured until a final decision regarding Happa's future at Brockweir is made.

Staff continue to be employed but will remain at home on full pay during this temporary period of closure.

Brockweir resident and chair of the recent village meeting Ruth Sinfield has commented on the recent closure.

"We are completely bemused by the allegations of threats to staff. I don't know of one incident where they could perceive this as happening.

"I have written to Happa asking them why they feel this closure is necessary, especially because at the recent public meeting there was a clear and unanimous word of support toward the staff, they all do a fantastic job.

"If we had some kind of explanation it would be a comfort, but there is a total absence of any clarification.

"People are very distressed about these happenings. The way they shifted the horses from Gregory Farm raised concerns.

"Some were very old to be making a long journey and we don't know what happened to other horses. I have written to ask for reassurance that certain animals moved well, but have not heard back yet.

"There is a lot of emotion from people who have adopted horses and don't know what has happened to them.

"We have not had adequate information. Happa needs to come out and give some explanation on what is going on. They are a charity and should have information out in the public domain.

"When you don't have information, people start to make things up, and there are some very serious rumours flying. I know that some complaints have also been made about them to the Charity Commission."