Pony pair graze conservation area

Walkers and dog walkers can still use the site

Two Exmoor ponies have been installed at a Cornish conservation area to help manage the site by grazing.

For the past month the ponies, on loan from the Cornwall Wildlife trust, have been grazing an area on Ministry of Defence land at Penhale.

They have now moved to a different area which is open for access and walkers are being asked not to feed them.

They are grazing an area which has been grazed for the previous four winters using groups of Shetland ponies.

"This year the Shetlands are concentrating their efforts on Ligger Headland, overlooking Perranporth Beach, and their place on the Bourne Leisure area has been taken by the Exmoor ponies," said countryside officer, Sarah Taylor.

The grazing area is partly surrounded by permanent fencing and partly by electric fencing.

Walkers and dog walkers can still use the site and the grazing will not affect access along the right of way which crosses the dunes to St Piran's Church and Oratory.