Bertie is 3's mane selling point

A girl who faced having to give up her pet horse has found the cash to keep him - by turning him into a walking mobile phone advert. Phoebe Bone wrote to mobile giant 3 claiming foal Bertie had the company's logo on his neck and asking for 'sponsorship'money.

'I was wondering if you would like to use his pictures in your adverts or if you would like to sponsor him and maybe pay something towards his stable and feed which is about £35 per week.' the 11-year old wrote.

'I would like to keep Bertie but I don't think that my mum and dad can afford it.'

Her parents Melanie, 39, and 42 year-old Lee bought Phoebe a horse called Lily but were stunned to discover she was pregnant with Bertie.

'The costs just doubled,' said Mrs Bone, from Romford, Essex. The phone company 'fell in love' with Bertie, paid a £1,000 stable fee and provided a '3' blanket for him.

Metro, 16 April 2009, p6.