An avid animal rights campaigner and sanctuary founder this week heard she will face a trial for animal cruelty after an RSPCA raid on the premises.

Sara Ross was a long-time assistant to Lord Houghton of Sowerby, the pioneer of the Animal Welfare Act, before she went her own way to set up charities and founded the Animal Sanctuary, based in Taplow, Bucks.

The 54-year-old faces a two week trial after a joint raid by officials from the RSPCA and Trading Standards led to 17 charges of animal cruelty on over 30 different animals.

The sanctuary was home to a large number of animals, including horses, exotic and tropical birds, dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and a turkey.

Ross first set up the now disbanded Horse Refuge in 1994 before opening the Animal Sanctuary at the current site in Dorney in June 2012. The registered charity had attracted support from celebrities including Simon Cowell, Leona Lewis, Katie Price and Joanna Lumley.

Co-defendant, Hayley Poturici was absent from the hearing, but the 25-year-old will stand trial at the same time as Ross on seven animal cruelty charges.

Ross on Tuesday only spoke to confirm her name and address as she was told she will face a two week trial starting on June 21.

The pair are represented by Nigel Weller, a lawyer who specialises in people accused of animal cruelty, while Hazel Stevens leads the prosecution on behalf of the RSPCA.

The trial will be heard at Reading Magistrates’ Court and Ross, of Lake End Road, Dorney, and Poturici of French Walk, Farnham, both deny all charges.

A large number of witnesses are to be called from both sides, including RSPCA officials, vets and trading standards, as well as a number of videos and pictures showing the conditions of the sanctuary.