Little Kirstie Benfield has been recovering from shock after her Christmas present pony was killed in an accident with a car.

The black Welsh foal, called Shanty, was given to Kirstie, seven, by her mother in November.

It was a joint birthday and Christmas gift for the horse-mad Canvey girl. Shanty died after a collision with a Citroen car in Haven Road, Canvey.

It is not known how the pony, which suffered a broken neck, came to leave a nearby field and be roaming free.

Kirstie's nine-year-old sister Hayley also has a pony, which was not involved in the tragedy.

Grandmother Pat Anderson, of Pine Close, Canvey, said: "It is very hard for them to cope.

"It took ages to get them to sleep and they were whimpering all night long."

The Northwick Park School pupils have grown up surrounded by horses. Their mum Donna Benfield also keeps a horse at the stables.

Mrs Anderson added: "They love horses and they go down to the field every day.

"The kids come out of school and Donna has their welly boots ready so they can go and see to the horses as soon as they can."

A worry for the family is that they had no insurance for the pony. They fear they could be held financially responsible for the car, which was a write-off.

The accident happened at 7pm on Wednesday.

Shanty was wearing a head collar when she was last spotted, but when she was found on the road, the collar was missing.

A police spokesman said: "It is possible the pony was let out of the field and allowed to roam free deliberately."

The driver of the car, a 25-year-old man, was unhurt. He has not been named.

Anyone with information about how the horse got loose is asked to contact Canvey police on 01268 511212.

Sad - the animal-loving sisters with Hayley's pony, Barney. Kirstie's pony died in an accident with a car.

Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

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