Shetland pony dances into calendar

Eight-year-old Milday Socks was shortlisted for the front cover of TV show Countryfile’s 2017 calendar.

After making the final 12 and therefore a place in the charity calendar, his owner Mari Williamson was still proud of the star of mobile network Three’s advert.

She said: “Unfortunately the photo of Socks was not picked to be the cover. However, it’s a great achievement to have a photo in the calendar at all when you think that more than 21,000 photos entered the competition.

“Socks and I would like to congratulate Dean Mason whose stunning picture titled Berry Brunch won the competition, a fantastic cover photo! The calendar raises funds for Children in Need, so please help support this worthy cause by buying a calendar. We certainly will.”

Mari was quick to praise the photographer who captured Socks’ cheeky smile.

She said:“It’s a brilliant photo. It was taken by Elaine Tait. She is a lovely girl. She was actually his trainer and handler during the filming of the advert. She takes amazing photographs.

“He is quite a natural in front of the camera, both in stills and in movies. You can see his cheeky smile in this.

“He is quite a character. He is just a cheeky but lovable pony who enjoys visitors and just enjoys life.”

Socks, who was born in Coulsand in 2008 and moved to Shetland a year later, is still getting attention despite his advert last airing in 2013.

Mari said: “We are still getting visitors three and a half years on because of the adverts. The first 18 months were utterly manic. I’m quite glad that it has calmed down.

“It was quite amazing.”

Mari added that Socks has been back to Coulsand a couple of times since he left.