A WEST Devon-based animal charity this week issued an urgent appeal for help, after making its 300th rescue of a moorland pony.

South West Equine Protection is a small organisation which rescues Dartmoor and Bodmin moor ponies when they are abandoned or neglected.

The charity takes on the ponies and rehabilitates them to a standard that they can be rehomed to a life-time, loving loan home.

SWEP has now reached its 300th rescue and the majority of these ponies are currently in loan homes.

Adele Cassidy, loan pony co-ordinator, said: 'Our rehabilitation yard is currently full with ponies ready for re-homing, but we do not have the applications to suit them.

'Most of the ponies that the charity takes on make great companions as they do not normally reach a greater height than 12 hands high and we also have very young ponies.

'They are all characters and SWEP does its best to match the best pony to the person looking to take one on.'

SWEP is appealing to anyone who can offer a pony a home to get in contact with them.

Adele said: 'Please visit our new website at http://www.swep.org.uk">www.swep.org.uk and look at the 'Rehoming' page. This goes through everything you need to consider and SWEP's process to their Loan Scheme.

'You are also able to see all the ponies currently looking for homes.'

To speak to SWEP about re-homing a pony, call Adele Cassidy, Loan Pony Co-Ordinator, on 07780 673672 or email [email protected]">[email protected]