THE future of Dartmoor's ponies will be a little brighter thanks to a charity challenge.

Curly Wright from Tedburn St Mary is undertaking a 400-mile cycle challenge along the coasts of Devon and Cornwall, accompanied by his grandchildren. Starting on July 28, the ride will raise funds for the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust. On the final day, Saturday, August 10, Curly will cycle from Crediton to Parke via Chagford.

He is aiming to raise £10,000 to fund the creation of a sensory garden at the DPHT Centre in Bovey Tracey. It will bring together Dartmoor's textures and smells, flora and fauna, water and granite, and encourage birds, insects and other wildlife.

He is also desperate to find loan bikes or donated bikes so his grandchildren, who have outgrown their bikes can take part in the challenge.

'If anyone could help with girls' or boys' bikes that must be in good condition and with gears, to help us, we should be incredibly grateful. And we would love more people to join in our family cycle challenge. Come and join us.'

As well as working to preserve the moorland-bred Dartmoor ponies, the DPHT provides 'Ponies Inspiring People' programmes for young people with physical, emotional, behaviour and learning disabilities.

To sponsor Curly or donate to the fundraiser, call the DPHT Centre on 01626 833234 or visit http://www.dpht.co.uk">www.dpht.co.uk

To find out more or to join the ride for a day e-mail curlyscuisine@hotmail.

com