A FOAL rescued from a horse trader who has later jailed for animal cruelty has been put up for adoption by an animal sanctuary.

The donkey, called Esther, was one of 97 equines taken in by the Norfolk-based Redwings Horse Sanctuary after they were seized from Spindles Farm in Hyde Heath over concerns for their welfare.

This week, after being nursed back to health, Esther has been made available for adoption by members of the public.

Gemma Carnell, fundraising manager at Redwings, said: “The public adored little timid Esther at the time of the rescue so she received many kind letters as well as gifts.

“We were touched by the outpouring of love for her. We wanted to do something so people could keep in touch with her and feel as if they were helping. We are entirely funded by public donations so every single adoption makes a difference.”

Esther was one of more than 100 animals, many of which were severely emaciated and living in appalling conditions, to be taken from Spindles Farm following a raid by RSPCA inspectors in January 2008.

The farm's owner, James Gray, was jailed for 26 weeks and given a lifetime ban from keeping equines after being convicted of numerous offences under the Animal Welfare Act and failing with an appeal.

His wife Julie and children Jodie, Cordelia and James junior also received bans from keeping animals.

Staff at Redwings said Esther was “nervous” upon her arrival when just a few months old, but became a “symbol of hope” after becoming “confident and happy” at her new home.

She is available for adoption for a yearly cost of £12.50, with adopters receiving a photo, certificate and six-monthly update, along with an invitation to her birthday party in October.

For more information go to www.redwings.co.uk or call 01508 481010.

Meanwhile, shoppers at the Beaconsfield branch of Waitrose helped raise £375 to help towards the cost of another 11 former Spindles Farm animals now being looked after by The Horse Trust, based in Speen.

Susan Lewis, Marketing Manager at The Horse Trust, received a cheque for that amount from Caroline Piercy, Duty Manager at the store.

She said: “We are thrilled by this donation and would like to thank Waitrose and all the customers who voted for us.

“We hope that some of the customers will come by to visit sometime so they can meet the horses, ponies and donkeys they have helped.”

The Trust is currently looking to re-home some of the animals. For more information go to www.horsetrust.org.uk