Shetland ponies have been munching their way to victory on the North Cornwall dunes and are now being given a new section on which to feast.

Regular visitors to Penhale Sands will have noticed a shaggy group of Shetland ponies grazing a section of the dunes near Rose at the end of last year.

Having done a very good job at munching the taller rank grasses and brambles on this site, so encouraging the dune flowers to grow, they were moved onto another area of Penhale.

The original five ponies were joined by an extra four and they have all been hiding away on part of the ministry of defence (MOD) owned dunes near Ellenglaze for the last six weeks, continuing their job of helping to manage the sand dunes.

Here they have been concentrating on a slightly marshy area, where their grazing will hopefully encourage the rare Fragrant Orchid to increase in numbers, as well as mowing' some adjascent short turf where the protected Early Gentian grows.

The Penhale Nine' have now completed their work along the valley and along with two newcomers, are being moved up onto the MOD owned headland overlooking Holywell Bay.

They will have a large area to wander around and plenty of vegetation to munch away at. Some areas of this headland were cleared of scrub last year. It is hoped this grazing will encourage the smaller, rarer dune and maritime plants to flourish.

The permanent fencing will keep the ponies off the SW Coast Path, but the public are being asked to keep dogs under control along this section of headland and not feed the ponies.