AN UNUSUAL visitor was welcomed to the cancer support centre in Launton, near Bicester, on Tuesday.

Jake the furry, four-legged foal popped in to greet visitors to The Hummingbird Cancer Support and Therapy Centre and provide a bit of much needed relaxation.

Since August the centre has been working with Lambourn's Follyfoot Stables - an organisation which uses therapeutic horsemanship to support people with mental health issues, who have been through trauma or are suffering illnesses.

The visit was the first time a horse has been to the Station Road centre.

Centre founder Mechelle Harris said: "Jake was very patient and allowed our guests to groom him, plait his mane and tail, and generally bond with our guests - some of whom have never been near a horse before.

"The work Follyfoot have done with our guests since we started with them has been invaluable they have become very much part of The Hummingbird Centre its a pleasure to work with them.

"I would also like to give special thanks to Andy Lawrence Window Cleaners, The Nightingale Pub, Bicester, and Alpha Cars who have sponsored these events.

"To date we have been able to send 30 of our guests to Follyfoots and look to continue next year."

The Hummingbird Centre hopes the partnership with the stables provides visitors the chance to try something new and ties in well with the stable team who are also passionate about working with people affected by cancer.

The centre has two more days booked in with Follyfoot over the coming months.