Staff at Wadworth Brewery in Devizes are mourning the death of one of their former shire horses.

Tom worked for the brewery, delivering ale to pubs in the town centre, for seven years until his retirement three years ago.

He was 17 and had been living at HorseWorld, a charity at Whitchurch near Bristol. He died peacfeully on Monday .

He was the inspiration for eight-year-old Alfie Waker of Westbury who did two sponsored cycle rides for HorseWorld raising more than £2,000.

His last ride, from Wadworth Brewery to HorseWorld, was in May this year.

Tricia Hurle, marketing and stables administrator at Wadworth, said Tom was a “gentle giant” and would be missed by everyone that knew him.

She said: “Tom spent over three years at HorseWorld and we would like to thank all the staff who looked after him so well and made Tom’s retirement such a happy one.

"He thoroughly enjoyed being out in the fields with his new friends and meeting all the visitors who came to see at the HorseWorld Visitor Centre.

“At 18.2 hands high, he was one of the largest working shire horses we have ever had here at the brewery and was much loved by everyone who cared for him and a favourite of many members of the public he used to meet when out on delivery in Devizes.”