FOLLOWING the announcement that Moretonhampstead's Miniature Pony Centre will be permanently closing this spring, the charity is now appealing for people to give their much-loved equines new 'forever homes'.

The centre announced its closure last week, triggering an outpouring of sadness and nostalgia from their visitors over the past 37 years.

A Facebook post today said: 'Thank you to everyone who has sent us such kind and wonderful messages. The response has been overwhelming! We can’t respond to all of you, but we are extremely grateful.

'The centre has been going for 37 years and will be a huge loss to the area and the Southwest.

'We are currently still looking after all of our animals and getting ready to see you all in February half term.

'All our ponies and donkeys will be sold to loving, forever homes. If you are interested in purchasing a pony, please email us at [email protected]. Please do not PM us.

'If you have already emailed us, please bear with us! We have a huge amount of emails regarding the animals and we will be in touch with everyone in due course. As always, our care and love for the animals comes first and work hard every day to ensure this is the case.

'We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible during February half term.'