A grieving Didcot man has thanked an Oxford cancer hospice for granting his dying girlfriend's last wish -- a visit from her beloved horse Tootsie.

Stella Abbott, 38, of Swarbourne Close, Didcot, died on August 11 at Sobell House hospice, which is based at the Churchill Hospital, in Headington.

Keen horse rider Miss Abbott, who had battled against breast cancer for four years, was delighted when she was paid a visit by Tootsie. Her partner Andrew Ramsey, also of Swarbourne Close, said: "She loved her horses. Tootsie went to the hospital as it was her last wish. It's the first time a horse has been there." He said his girlfriend's spirits were instantly lifted when she saw her horse in the hospice gardens. Staff had arranged for the one-hour visit on Saturday, August 6.

Mr Ramsey said: "I just want to thank Sobell House for their kindness and support and all her friends, too.

"It was so good of them to grant her last wish." Tootsie, who does not belong to Miss Abbott, but was a horse she regularly rode, is now back home at Downside Farm in Blewbury. Mr Ramsey said his girlfriend always thought of others before herself, and added: "She was lovely and bubbly, and she was very brave."

Despite her terminal illness, Miss Abbott took part in this year's Race for Life at University Parks in Oxford during June in aid of Cancer Research UK. She also did a sponsored horse ride last year.

Miss Abbott used to go to Didcot Girls' School, in Sherwood Road, and later worked as a computer technician at software supplier Research Machines (RM) in Milton Park, Abingdon.

She leaves behind her mother Jean Abbott, of Brendan Close, Didcot, three brothers and one sister.

Richard Berry, chief executive of Sobell House, said the hospice had a garden which meant Tootsie was able to visit Miss Abbott. He said: "The horse obviously didn't come inside the hospice, but this highlights the care and sensitivity of our nursing staff.

"They will do whatever they can to support patients and their relatives in their last days. Nothing is too much trouble. Our work is about making Sobell House as homely as possible."

Miss Abbott's funeral will be held at All Saints' Church in Didcot at 2.30pm on August 19.