A STRING of ponies are proving quite a hit at Poole Park – and there’s no danger of them causing as much mess as the canada geese.

The 20 toy steeds belong to mini-railway and farm owner Chris Bullen, after he found bringing in the real thing would set him back £12,000 in insurance.

Families are flocking to hire the furry friends and race them around the outside of the cricket pitch.

Chris said: “The ponies are a huge laugh. We wanted to do ride-on ponies when the little farm opens at Easter, but health and safety says you need people to operate the ponies and the insurance would be about £12,000 a year just to have four ponies.”

Then he saw the 60s-style Mobo ponies on an Ant and Dec TV show, placed an order and became one of just two UK distributors.

“They’ve gone down a storm,” he said.

“It’s a healthy thing and it’s an absolute phenomenon. I don’t think we’ve ever done anything that has been so popular.

“What started as an alternative to the real thing has become 100 times more popular.”

Youngsters balance on the saddle and propel themselves along, getting up to speeds of three miles per hour, Chris said.

Made in China, they have become a hot topic on Mumsnet and adult-sized ponies will be arriving soon.

There’s even talk of a pony sweepstake for Julia’s House.

The farm opens on Saturday.

Cousins James Rhyle, three, and Amelia Collett, 18 months, enjoyed having a go on Caramel and Butterfly.

Great uncle Roger Burt, from Bournemouth, said: “We didn’t have moving ponies in our day, just rocking ones.

“It’s fun and is a nice part of a day out.”

Anna Bryant, 15 months, had a ride on Beyonce.

Mum Emma, 33, from Poole, said: “We came to the park and saw people riding the ponies.

“They’re great. Anna’s a bit small to balance properly but the older ones who can bounce up and down are having a whale of a time.”