A PONY welfare charity based in Princetown has renewed its fund-raising appeal for a permanent home for the ponies and horses it rescues.

South West Equine Protection (SWEP) which is dedicated to improving the welfare of all horses and ponies, particularly wild breeds on Dartmoor, wants to set up its own stables and grazing area, at a cost of around £250,000.

SWEP does not own its own land or stabling and relies on people allowing it to use their land for free. Now the voluntary organisation has launched its Land and Stabling Appeal to buy a new home needed to continue its vital work.

The need for new stables has been brought home to SWEP founder Maureen Rolls by how busy the charity has been with rescued equines recently.

Mrs Rolls said April was always a bad time for ponies, as they have used up their energy throughout the winter, and with the better weather, there were more cars on the moorland roads endangering animals.

Mrs Rolls said the majority of ponies were rescued from Dartmoor — though some came from Bodmin Moor — so it made sense to stay on the moor, Yelverton is the most likely site for a new home for the organisation.

'We are unable to do as much as we want to, we have restrictions as to what we can do, but we need to stay on the moor,' said Mrs Rolls.

With its own facilities the charity would be able to give demonstrations of humane handling and equine behaviour and raise educational awareness in the care of horses and ponies.

'We are hoping to have educational sessions where people can learn how to handle wild ponies correctly, and help prevent some of the welfare problems we see,' she said.

Since being launched six years ago, SWEP has re-homed around 90 animals.

The charity relies entirely on donations from members of the public and funds raised through horse shows, dog shows, and other events throughout the Westcountry.

Anyone wishing to donate to the appeal or organise a fund-raising event can contact Maureen Rolls on 01822 890668.