Oldest deep pit pony dies aged 36

Sparky worked underground for 13 years in Ellington Colliery

The oldest surviving deep pit pony in Britain has died aged 36.

Sparky, who had lived at the National Coal Mining Museum in West Yorkshire for the last 18 years of his life, had suffered from a short illness.

For 13 years, he worked underground in a mine in Ellington Colliery, Northumberland, moving materials and carrying out salvage work.

Museum officials said the death of Sparky meant a "step closer to the end of an era in coal mining".

Working pit ponies were usually only expected to live to 14.

A spokesman for the museum said: "Sparky was a wonderful pony. He wasn't particularly patient and had a special kick for his stall door when it was time to go back to the field.

"We know Sparky will be sorely missed as he was loved by all who met him."