THOUSANDS of people were entertained by horses, hounds and heroes on Sunday.

The Horse Trust held the open day at its home in Speen and welcomed more than 4,000 people.

There were activities all day including a military dog demonstration, a Metropolitan police activity ride, a Thames Valley Police mounted section and a fun dog show.

The Military Wives Choir also performed and there was also a chance to have a go at archery.

Two Chelsea Pensioners, John Cuthbert and Bill Cantwell, were there having their photos taking with members of the public.

Mr Cantwell said: "We have come up for the day and we are trying to see as many people as possible but these days we can't move very much."

He was awarded medals for his service during the invasion of France during the Second World War and he went through Belgian, Germany and Holland.

He said: "I won't go into details as they are not very nice memories."

Mr Cuthbert was awarded medals for his time in Africa during the Second World War and returned to England after he was injured in an explosion.

The Chelsea Pensioners are famous for their scarlet coats. They live at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, a retirement home and nursing home for former members of the British Army located in Chelsea, London.

For more than 125 years the Home of Rest for Horses has specialised in providing retirement and respite for working horses and ponies.

These hard-working equine public servants have served the nation in the police, the army or working with charities who use horses to help people.

The charity also provide sanctuary to horses, ponies and donkeys who have suffered from cruelty or neglect and who are in desperate need of specialist treatment and care.

Peter Larsen from The Horse Trust said: "It is lovely to see so many people here. What is interesting is I have been talking to people who live very locally and lived here their entire life and haven't been here before- they almost didn't know it existed.

"We are one of Britain's oldest charities and the world's oldest horse charity- it is a great British institution."

The charity opened its doors to show the community what they do.

Pam Middleton and her daughter, Rachel Ayres, from Great Missenden were enjoying the day out.

Rachel said: "It is a lovely place to come to. I think it is nice it is around the D-Day commemoration as it is already in people's minds."