A GROUP of pony-mad youngsters came up with a great idea to raise some cash for their four-legged friends this Christmas.

Last weekend the friends, who help look after 14 ponies at Hunters Rest Farm, Eaglescliffe, transformed Shetland stallion Dennis the Menace into a reindeer complete with antlers.

Decked in tinsel and harnessed to a festooned trap, the gang set off in Santa hats and glitter and clip-clopped around the streets of Eaglescliffe to sing Christmas carols.

The idea, which raised £90 for the International League for the Protection of Horses, went down a storm in the streets they managed to cover.

So much so, that nine to 12-year-olds Katie Williams Jade Ferens and Jenny Shearer, from Durham Lane school, Katie Hobson, Jodie Booth and Debbie Batey, from Egglescliffe school, Lucy Jacobs, of Teesside high school and Elizabeth Littlefair from Egglescliffe CE primary, are to do it again tomorrow and Sunday.

One of the mothers, Julie Littlefair, who accompanied the troupe last week, said: "They caused quite a stir with the locals. We stopped along the way and the children gathered around the cart and sang carols. Everybody came out of the houses and said what a good idea it was.

"Because of that the kids have decided to do it again this weekend."

Mrs Linda Mackie, owner of Hunters Rest Farm, shows her ponies as a hobby.

Although all were perfect for the job, she claims Dennis was the obvious choice. "He thinks he is drop dead gorgeous and every mare belongs to him," she said. "But he has a lovely nature and all the kids love him.

"The trouble is getting him back into the farm without the mares seeing him dressed like Rudolph."