AN APPEAL for information about a stolen miniature Shetland pony has been renewed by the Wiltshire farmer who owns her.

As already reported in the Evening Advertiser, six- year-old mare Jade, who stands just 28 inches high, was lifted over a fence surrounding her field by thieves.

Jade was one of a herd of miniature Shetlands at Bernard Cooper's home in Longcot, near Faringdon.

Mr Cooper said: "We bred Jade ourselves and have had her for about six years now.

"I am especially worried about her because she is in foal, due at the beginning of August.

"I couldn't believe it when I went out and found her not in the field. She was together with the rest of the herd in a field right in the middle of Longcot village. There was no damage to the fences, and the gates were still locked, so police concluded that she had simply been lifted over the fence.

"We have never had any of the herd freeze branded before, because it didn't seem necessary where we live, but now I think we will have to get them all micro-chipped.

"Jade is a really pretty mare, with quite unusual colouring. She is all black, except for a white splash on her side, a white muzzle, and white hind legs.

"She stands slightly cow hocked and is very distinctive looking, so I think she should be easy for people to recognise.

"My wife and I have already been all the way round this area, distributing posters of her in all the farmers' stores, feed shops and saddlers, but we have heard nothing so far.

"Whenever any of my friends are travelling I make them take posters of her with them to distribute, because I am so worried about her. We have also posted her on the RSPCA's missing list.

"The only saving grace is that she is not very far gone with the foal, so hopefully won't get too stressed and hurt the foal, but I really want her back before she starts to get heavy."

Mr Cooper went through similar worry last year when two animals were stolen from the herd.

He said: "Fortunately then we got them back after a couple of weeks. They had been separated and sold to people in Chipping Sodbury and Chiseldon.

"We were frantic with worry but that time the police got a tip off and managed to recover them for us. I only hope that the same thing is possible for Jade."

The police are appealing for anybody who knows anything about the theft, which happened on February 21, to call the Thames Valley Mounted Police Section on (01908) 686 095.

They can also call the confidential CrimeStoppers hotline on 0800 555 111.