Santa visits Chippenham on horseback

7:58am Saturday 20th December 2008

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Animal lover Phil Newbury and his faithful horse Frankie were out filling Chippenham with Christmas cheer.

Mr Newbury disguised his beloved pet as a festive reindeer and rode him into Chippenham town centre to spread a bit of happiness.

Excited children greeted the duo and the pair caused quite a stir on a bust market day.

Mr Newbury, 50, from Chippenham said: "I just woke up in the morning and I thought I would have a bit of fun as I did it last year.

"Frankie doesn't mind being dressed up. I'll be dressing him up on Christmas Eve with flashing lights under his nose and tail.

"I did it last year and it was quite funny because the first thing to stop was a police car.

"I asked what I had done wrong and he asked for a photo."

Mr Newbury has owned five-year-old Frankie for one year and keeps him at Stanley Lane Stables.

He said: "I started riding when I left school so quite some time. I mostly do dressage but we dressed up pink and raised money for breast cancer earlier in the year."