CHINESE New Year was celebrated all across Oxford, but the residents of the Iffley Residential and Nursing Home had a special guest for their party.

To celebrate the year of the horse, miniature Shetland pony Sweetie visited residents in Anne Greenwood Close on Friday.

Sweetie, who stands a tiny two and a half feet tall, is a regular visitor to care homes and schools. Resident Winifred Cooke, 87, said: “How lovely to see the pony.

“It was such a nice change to see a pony close up.

“I love animals and I hope she will come and visit us again.”

The care home’s manager Pam Harper said: “Our residents were all so excited to be celebrating Chinese New Year with the arrival of such a special visitor. Sweetie was a huge hit.”

The four-year-old chestnut-coloured pony belongs to mobile farm Farms2ewe.

Farm manager Hollie Ireland said: “Sweetie, like her name, is very sweet – and occasionally cheeky in nature.

“Her favourite foods are carrots and sugar cubes.”