A SUCCESSFUL funding bid to the National Lottery will help safeguard the future of Dartmoor’s iconic herd of ponies.

Having secured the funding, the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust (DPHT) can do more to support the conservation of the endangered breed, which is native to the moor.

The charity’s chairman, Mike Lithgow, said: ‘We are absolutely delighted to have received this grant funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, which is a massive vote of confidence in our charity and our work to protect the Heritage Dartmoor Pony.

‘This funding will enable us to take our conservation efforts to the next level, and see the impact it will have on the survival of this iconic breed.’

The £58,200 grant will enable DPHT to deliver its ‘Saving the Spirit of Dartmoor’ project, which includes activities to increase the population of the herd and much more besides.