A young girl and her mother have been left heartbroken after their beloved pony and horse were burned alive by arsonists. Milli Knowles, 10, and stablehand Samantha Brierley, 38, were called to the stables near Bolton where they kept their pet animals after reports of an early-morning fire. Their nine-year-old cob, named The General, and their Shetland pony Penny, 27 - who were said to be regarded as 'family' - had been killed in the blaze. Destroyed: The blackened remains of stables near Bolton, Greater Manchester, where a Shetland pony and a horse were burned alive in an arson attack. Police believe the arsonists used petrol and firelighters to start the blaze
@highlight
The fire was started by arsonists at stables in Bolton, Manchester
@highlight
Police believe the culprits broke into the stables and used petrol and firelighters to start the blaze
@highlight
Shetland pony Penny and a cob named The General were burned alive
@highlight
Owners Milli Knowles, 10 and her mother Samantha Brierley, 38, are devastated at what has happened
@highlight
Milli's father John Knowles said: 'It is absolutely heartbreaking'
'@placeholder's job is to look after horses and this is going to make her work