Preston pony Fidelio goes for a jog with his owner to get his lockdown exercise

A Hutton mum has enlisted the help of her equine friend in order to get back into shape during the lockdown.

Come rein or shine, friendly miniature pony Fidelio has been going for a jog each day with owner Joanne Willman, bringing smiles to bemused residents around the village.

Joanne, 50, and her family bought the four year old as a companion for their other horse Fabio, 18, after fearing their Welsh section B, Reece, 29, may be in his final years.

But at the moment all three horses are fit and well and Joanne now brands them her "three medals" - as each of the horses are golden, silver, and a bronze chestnut colour.

Fidelio has been attracting lots of attention - at a safe distance - from children and elderly people on the nearby estate as he and Joanne jog down the pavement.

But he is far from a one trick pony.

He also likes to play football with a giant ball in his paddock.

Mum-of-two Joanne, a finance and procurement manager for a engineering company, said: "He has put on a lot of weight from eating the spring grass, and I've also put on weight during the lockdown, and my two little Shih Tzu dogs don't walk quick enough for a power walk.

"Jogging with Fidelio is ideal as I can do it at my own pace. He's an absolute dream, he's such a little love to take out.

"We go around the estates and people are always videoing him. Elderly people love him, and the children too. He makes everybody smile.

"Because we go on the pavement I carry poop scoop bags just in case, but so far he hasn't had any accidents!"