TRIBUTES have been paid to the founder of a horse rescue charity.

Jenny MacGregor MBE, aged 85, died at her home surrounded by her dogs and family on Monday, November 6.

Mrs MacGregor, of St Maughans, Monmouth, set up the Society for the Welfare of Horses and Ponies (SWHP) more than 40 years ago with her husband Alasdair and was involved in the running of the society until very recently.

Over the years, she helped thousands of horses and ponies, rescued from extreme cruelty and neglect and brought back to health where possible, and then loaned to new homes.

Her daughter Julia Raikes said Mrs MacGregor, who was a mum-of-three and had three grandchildren, was "completely animal crazy".

Ms Raikes said: "She loved all animals and people, she was a great communicator."

Paying tribute, a statement from the charity said: “Whilst we are all bereft at our irreplaceable loss, we continue as a united SWHP family, with Jenny’s ethos that ‘the horses come first’ something we have followed since the charity was started by Jenny more than forty years ago with her late husband Alasdair.

“Together they were a driving force in welfare and it was to Jenny’s great credit that she continued to run the charity after his death some six years ago.

“She was widely acclaimed for her total dedication to horses and ponies, they really were her life.”

There will be a private family funeral, no flowers please, but if anyone would like to donate to www.swhp.co.uk that would be very much appreciated.

There will be a memorial service for Mrs MacGregor's many friends and supporters in the spring of 2018 to celebrate her life and achievements.

In the statement, the charity said the future of the SWHP, its team and all of the many horses and ponies in its care has been secured and its work will continue as usual.