Herd of ponies to help look after nature reserve

A herd of ponies has been brought to Shoreham to help with maintaining nearby grassland.

The group of 13 Exmoor ponies has been homed in Mill Hill and will help to graze on the chalk grassland in the nature reserve.

The ponies are part of plans to help maintain the site through the use of wildlife, with a herd of 60 Herdwick sheep also used in the autumn, winter and early spring.

Councillor Andy Harvey, Adur District Council lead on the environment, told BBC Radio Sussex: "The ponies are much gentler on the environment than using machinery."

He added: "It's important to keep the area that we have got in good condition. It's an internationally important habitat.

"The sheep went down really well, and we welcome visitors to the horses."

Harvey said the horses had been loaned to the council by the South Downs National Park Authority, who have helped to organise the herd on behalf of a local farm.

The farm will visit the herd daily to check on their welfare, and signage will be installed near the field with contact details so that visitors can report any concerns, he added.

A council spokesperson said 800m (2624ft) of fencing had been installed in the area to help keep the ponies.

Visitors have been asked by the council to observe the ponies from a safe distance, and to keep dogs under control around the animals.

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