Two fell ponies have joined a herd to trample dominant vegetation to try and help delicate flowers thrive.

Annabel Rushton, site manager of RSPB Wild Haweswater, said the native Cumbrian fell breed were "ideally suited" to the rugged terrain and weather in Swindale Valley, where they would graze and crush rushes and coarse grasses.

Wild Haweswater said the grazing project would aid delicate wildflowers like Devil's Bit Scabious and the ponies were good at spreading wildflower seed in their dung.