A Congleton care home resident celebrated her 100th birthday with a rather unusual visitor.

Gwen Pemberton, a resident at Heliosa Nursing Home on Boundary Lane, was treated to a surprise visit from Casper, a 30-inch-tall American Miniature Horse, on Tuesday, November 10.

Casper was accompanied by his owner Jennifer Bedford, founder of Mini Hooves - a miniature pony business based in Oakamoor in the Staffordshire Moorlands.

Jennifer arranged the visit completely free of charge and brought along a posy of flowers and a handmade commemorative birthday rosette, which she had specially created for Gwen's milestone birthday.

Jennifer said: "Gwen's 100th birthday was such a special occasion, and I really wanted to do something lovely for her.

"I'd originally arranged to stay for just 15 minutes, but we ended up being there for an hour. Everyone was so welcoming, and Casper was an absolute star.

"It was wonderful seeing how much everyone enjoyed meeting him. He's only 30 inches tall, but he can bring an enormous amount of happiness."

Among those in attendance was the Mayor of Congleton, councillor Suzy Firkin.

She said: "You never quite know what you will find when you visit Heliosa Nursing Home.

"This time the staff were in fancy dress and Casper the pony had come to visit and to celebrate Gwen's 100th birthday.

"Gwen Pemberton has lived at Heliosa for five years. Gwen's a Congleton girl who lived with her husband Ron on Sandbach Road for 50 years.

"She still has a great singing voice and a completely unexplained love of line dancing according to her family.

"It was an absolute pleasure to meet Gwen and her nieces and nephews who were visiting her."

Jennifer established Mini Hooves to share the joy of miniature horses with people of all ages, particularly older people, those living with dementia and individuals who may be experiencing loneliness or isolation.

Alongside Casper, she has a miniature Shetland pony, Teddy, with the two ponies visiting care homes, weddings, parties and community events across Staffordshire, Cheshire and the surrounding areas.

Jennifer said: "There's something very special about seeing people's faces light up when they meet the ponies.

"For some older people, particularly those living with dementia, meeting a pony can bring back memories of animals they knew years ago.

"For others, it's simply a chance to enjoy some companionship, have a conversation or experience something completely different.

"It's these moments that make the visits so worthwhile."

Inspired by the response to visits like Gwen's, Jennifer has launched Mini Hooves Community Connections, a fundraising initiative designed to help provide miniature pony visits to care homes and community organisations that might otherwise struggle to afford them.

Jennifer said: "I'd love to be able to offer more visits free of charge, but there are costs involved, including transport, preparation, specialist insurance and the ongoing care of the ponies.

"That's why I've launched Community Connections. I'm hoping local people and businesses might be willing to help us bring these experiences to more care homes.

"Whether someone makes a small donation or a business sponsors a visit, every contribution helps us reach more people."

She continued: "Seeing how much happiness Casper brought to Gwen on her 100th birthday was incredibly special.

"I'd love more people to have the opportunity to experience moments like that.

"Sometimes the smallest visitors really can make the biggest difference."

To find out more, including how to support Mini Hooves Community Connections, visit Jennifer's JustGiving page here.