A HERD of native Fell ponies are helping with local conservation after becoming regular grazers at the Helm.

Landscape conservation charity Friends of the Lake District are inviting the public to a free event on May 10 to learn more about the ponies and the conservation work they are doing on their land on the eastern side of the hill, which is close to Oxenholme station.

The ponies are grazing on the Helm to help with nature conservation by encouraging more wild flowers.

They remove the rank grass growth helping keep an open sward for wild flowers to flourish in. Their large hooves help break up the ground, meaning that seeds from plants have bare ground to germinate in, thus helping to increase plant diversity.

The upcoming event is an opportunity to meet the ponies ‘working’ on the Helm and to find out more about the rare local breed and their role in conservation grazing.

Nicola Evans, who owns the herd, along with her volunteers, will be on hand to talk about the ponies as a breed and about the individual animals present.

“The ponies all have very individual characters and great personalities, so do come and meet them," said Nicola. "I’m sure it will be a fun event.”

Judith Moore, Policy Officer at Friends of the Lake District, said: “The ponies are working towards improving nature conservation on the Helm, and we’re also very happy to be helping to support our local native pony breed.”

One of Britain’s hardiest pony breeds, fell ponies are native to the north of England, and are mostly found in Cumbria, in the old counties of Cumberland and Westmorland, where they have probably roamed from pre-historic times. They graze all year round and are a native rare breed considered to be ‘at risk’.

The event takes place from 2pm-4pm – follow signs from the Station Inn end of the Helm to find the Friends of the Lake District tent.