A WORLD-famous horse whisperer helped tame horses at a rescue centre near Bridgwater.

Adam Shereston visited Puriton Horse and Animal Rescue and spent most of the day helping Roary, one particularly nervous horse.

The creature, supposedly a former driving/show pony, is owned by Shella Morton, of Bridgwater, who brought him along because he has suffered a series of traumas.

There was no whispering involved – Adam placed the animal on a long tether and used hand gestures and movements to calm the creature down at the Bawdrip-based centre on Sunday, August 1.

He then shortened the rope and after patting the horse – it became putty in his hands.

Sheila Brislin, whose family has run the centre for more than 15 years, said: "What Adam did was remarkable – by the end Roary was a different horse. Adam was so calm and got the horse to mimic what he was doing. By the end Shella was cuddling Roary – something she would not have done before."

The centre is appealing for sponsors or volunteers to help care for a number of animals including dogs, pigs and rabbits. Jobs include riding horses, feeding, washing and mucking out stables.

For more information or to volunteer call Sheila on 07731 732907.