THERE'S an opportunity to adopt a pony this Christmas with the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust and follow the animal's progress all year round.

To help fund its work of preserving the traditional Dartmoor pony, the DHPT is offering a 'Dartmoor Pony adoption gift pack'.

By buying an adoption pack, people will be funding the DHPT's worked to feed, care for and find homes for the ponies and give them a basic education so that they are more suitable for domestic and conservation grazing homes, rather than coming straight off Dartmoor as wild animals.

The charity's aim is to ensure the continuation of the native Dartmoor pony gene pool and to preserve the iconic pony on the moor for future generations to enjoy. The cost is £20 per year for UK residents, £25 for those abroad.

A spokesperson for the DHPT said the adoption pack was suitable for anyone, of any age, who loves horses and ponies, but for whom 'buying a real one was simply not an option'.

The spokesperson said: 'The adoption pack includes a beautiful line drawing and an adoption certificate and you'll also receive updates on the development and progress of the pony you have chosen over the following year.

'Ponies George, Charlie, Smartie and Rolo look forward to meeting you and to becoming part of your family!

'They live at the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust Centre at Parke, Bovey Tracey.'

Visitors are welcome to the centre on Sunday afternoons to groom and handle the ponies and find out all about them.

The spokesperson added: 'These characters have a vital role to play in demonstrating just how good Dartmoor ponies are as family pets and for riding, driving and conservation grazing: they are fundamental to the DPHT's innovative education programme for young people who have a range of disabilities and/or challenging behaviour.

'Some of the incredible achievements we have had with students have happened through their work with these loving, gentle, patient but tough little ponies.'

For more information visit http://www.dpht.co.uk">www.dpht.co.uk or call 01626 833234.