AN appeal has been made for pony foster carers to come forward and give a rescue pony a safe place to live.

The South West Equine Protection (SWEP) is looking for suitable homes for its ponies on a loan basis due to an increase in demand for space.

Loan pony co-ordinator of SWEP Adele Cassidy said: 'We are currently on overload at our small yard, with more ponies due in very soon.

'SWEP loan ponies are being returned from their loan homes for various reasons and we have also taken in a lot of new cases of ponies bought at markets, but owners have found they cannot cope with them or afford to keep them.

'We mainly have small ponies and young ponies, all making great companions to other horses or ponies.'

The rescue ponies are re-homed on a loan basis rather than sold on, so SWEP can ensure the ponies' future welfare.

For more information contact Adele Cassidy on 07780 673672 or SWEP on 01822 890668 or visit the website at http://www.swep.org.uk">www.swep.org.uk