MEET Freckles and Ceiriad - the two rescue horses named by readers of the Malvern Gazette.

It was a tough decision for Sue Penny, owner of Penny Ha’penny Horse and Pony Rescue Centre, whose job it was to whittle down the suggestions to find names for the Shetland miniature pony and Welsh pony.

Scores of entries were sent in with many people giving heartfelt reasons for their choice of name and commending Mrs Penny for her tireless rescue work at the Knapp Way centre.

Mrs Penny said she was overwhelmed with the response but settled on Freckles for the Shetland pony and Ceiriad for the Welsh Pony because they suited the horses’ characters.

Freckles was sent in by Ronald Osborne, formerly from Moat Way who is now living in Maipu, Santiago, Chile, with his wife Jenny and children Joshua, seven, and Sofia, four.

Mr Osborne, aged 58, worked for 28 years in an administrative role at the MoD North Site and said he reads his Malvern Gazette online every week.

“What a lovely surprise to have been chosen – thank you to Sue Penny for the opportunity to name a pony,” he said.

“Freckles seemed perfect for the one with brown spots on his face.”

Mrs Penny agreed adding: “When you think of a child with freckles you think of cheeky and attention grabbing and since this little one has been eating properly she has really come out of her shell.”

The Welsh pony will now be known as Ceiriad, in memory of 91-year-old Rachel King’s brother Vernon, who was a jockey and known by all at Newmarket as “Taff”.

Mrs Penny said: “The Welsh pony has changed so much since coming in, from being very withdrawn and insecure, she has now become a real sweetheart, coming up for cuddles and tickles under her chest.”

The 57-year-old thanked everyone who entered the competition and all those who had given donations to help with the care of the horses, who were in a group of four rescued from a field near Sling Lane in Malvern.

“Knowing there are so many people out there who care and are willing to show it is amazing, such kindness has already really turned their lives around,” she added.

“We expect the three mares to have foals so we will use some of the other suggestions when they are born.”

Donations can be made on the Penny Ha’penny Rescue Centre’s Facebook page or by cheque to Penny Ha’penny Horse Rescue, 37 Knapp Way, Malvern.