A STABLES that provided horses for London 2012 has been wound up by the High Court.

Panama Sports Horses UK Limited, which was targeted by arsonists on Friday, had been fighting a move to close it down from landowner Gisburne Park Estates since August 2014.

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A decision to liquidate the Gisburn-based business, which was established more than 20 years ago, was stayed last year at a hearing in Manchester and the case was heard again at the end of last week.

Owner Carol Richardson said she and her husband Nick Saville hope to get the company restored.

She added that they hope to seek damages from Gisburne Park Estates, which is owned by Guy Hindley, for unlawful eviction.

Panama Sport Horses UK Limited was housed at a 70-acre equestrian centre, where trainer Michael Dickinson used to keep horses, and had between 15 and 20 horses. The court judgement comes after cars were gutted and an explosion ripped through an office block in an early hours arson attack on the stables.

The fire was started yards from more than a dozen horses and the windows at the owner’s home, which is part of the complex on the Gisburne Park Estate, were also cracked by the heat.

Tests were carried out on a substance poured on a door at the front of the house to see if it was an accelerant.

The blaze came within feet of staff accommodation where two teenage work experience girls and a guest were staying, as well as a kennel kept for the owners’ dog, Wolfie.

Firefighters from Barnoldswick, Nelson, and Clitheroe were all called, and spent almost three hours tackling the blaze with hose reels and a jet, breathing apparatus and around 45 litres of foam.

Mrs Richardson said: “It’s very disappointing but we are working to get the company restored so we can pursue a claim against Gisburne Park Estates.

“Our lawyer is submitting the paperwork.

“After the incident last week I’m really frightened and it was such a shock for everyone.”

Gisburne Park Estates was unavailable for comment yesterday.