ONE miniature pony's cold night after thieves stole his rug, has stirred the Christmas spirit and restored an owner's faith in human nature.

An article in last week's Free Press told the story of callous thieves, who targeted a field in Trevethin stole the rug of a 34-inch miniature pony.

Jo Bialan who owns the stallion, was outraged by the crime that meant Little Man was without his rug on the coldest night of the year.

Now a local man emailed the paper offering Little Man's owner the money to buy a new rug.

In his email Mark Evans asked: "Would Ms Bialan accept a cheque in payment for a replacement rug that will be very much needed for Little Man for the forthcoming winter."

Ms Bialan was touched by the offer. She said: "It proves that there is still good people out there - I am really moved by his very generous offer." But she added that she had been given a new rug by a friend in Hertfordshire.

The rug had been used for a foal who had outgrown it and now it is just right for Little Man - well almost!

"It's slightly too shallow for him (a little bit of his tummy hangs out underneath), but it fits beautifully everywhere else, and it also cost me a fraction of the cost of a new made to measure one," said Ms Bialan. But she passed on her thanks to Mr Evans.

"I am most grateful to him, but I will decline his most generous offer as I have managed to get another rug relatively quickly and cheaply for my little angel."