A new urban horse and pony club in south Bristol has taken a jump forward with its first event taking place this month.

The club is aimed at those who keep their horses in Knowle West, Hartcliffe and Withywood.

As well as riding, a number of local people also drive horse-drawn vehicles and can be seen driving and training on the roads.

Local development worker Tracey Pool, who is behind the idea for the club and is its first chairwoman, said: "Our life with horses is deeply rooted here.

"My family have used gipsy wagons for many years and I plan to use my child-size barrel top for storytelling.

"We need a club on our own home ground. The plan will be to create an outdoor arena and some green space, based at The Park Centre in Daventry Road, Knowle.

"This will accommodate the Grass Roots Urban Horse and Pony Club and riding school.

"In the spring we plan to offer a road safety course, to be sponsored by the British Horse Society and accompanied by members of the Avon and Somerset Constablulary mounted section.

"Staff from HorseWorld in Whitchurch will also be offering their time to help us with future courses.

"We have a great planning team, who are very dedicated and hard working.

"My part as chairwoman will be to help make our vision a reality.

"As a lay minister and local resident in the Bristol diocese, I have a social responsibility to help provide for the needs of the community."

One of the first events organised by the team is an equestrian table-top sale, to be held at The Park community complex on Saturday, January 31, from 2pm-4pm.

Tracey said it would be the start of a series of regular sales where people can buy and sell equestrian items from rugs to tack.

Riders in the area mostly keep their horses and ponies on various pieces of grazing land in the community and one of the main aims of the club will be to give youngsters the chance to learn more about caring for their animals.

Having it based locally will also allow riders to hack to events organised at The Park.

Tracey has already been working with the RSPCA on equine care courses at HorseWorld, which the charity funded for young people in the Knowle area.

Entry to next Saturday's sale will be £1, to include refreshments, with pre-booked tables at £5 or £6 on the day.

Details are available by phoning 07875 341215.