A PRIZE miniature pony breeder has spoken of his disgust at thieves who stole eight of his granddaughter's beloved animals.

Howard Jackson only discovered the missing animals when he returned from a pony show in Bedfordshire.

"I don't know how I'm going to tell my granddaughter they've gone, she will be devastated," Mr Jackson said.

"The ponies belong to my daughter, I look after them for her and my six-year-old granddaughter.

"I think I'm going to have to break it to her gently because she'll be very upset."

The ponies were stolen in a raid on a secluded field on the outskirts of Pickering between Thursday, April 18, and last Sunday.

The thieves had gained entry to the field by cutting a chain on a gate.

Eight ponies, each measuring about 44 inches tall and some of which had won prizes at national pony trials, were taken.

"It is a secluded field so it's unlikely anyone would have seen whoever did it," he said.

"They could have taken the ponies in a bus or a trailer. They are only small so they wouldn't need a big truck.

"They are high-quality ponies, section A standard, so they are valuable," added Mr Jackson.

"One of them was the sixth best pony in the UK in its class.

"Besides the money though, the most upsetting part of it is that my granddaughter loved them so much.

"Because of her size she was able to ride them at shows and she helped them win their prizes.

"She has gone away on holiday with her parents but we'll have to tell her when she gets back."

Unfortunately Mr Jackson said the chances of getting the ponies back were slim.

"Unlike racehorses, ponies don't tend to be micro-chipped," he explained.

"I'm just guessing, but I reckon they could quite easily have been taken out of the country. Even if I saw them again I wouldn't be able to prove they are mine."

Anyone with information about the theft is asked to contact Malton Police on 01723 509612.

Updated: 11:30 Wednesday, April 24, 2002