A YOUNG woman from Worcester has returned home after fulfilling her dream of working with rescued horses in South Africa.

Beth Lawrence, aged 22, spent three weeks in the village of Cintsa East volunteering at Cintsa Horse and Newhampshire Farm with horses who had been neglected.

Part of Miss Lawrence’s “eye-opening” trip was funded by donations from Worcester News readers.

Miss Lawrence, of Barbourne, said: “I knew I was going to have to work hard but I found the whole thing really rewarding seeing the difference it made to the horses.

“It was sad to hear the stories behind why the horses were at the farm but great to see how well they are now treated and cared for.”

Miss Lawrence was volunteering with Personal Overseas Development (PoD), and she spent long days feeding, grooming and riding the 44 horses as well as dipping them to rid them of ticks.

However, despite the hard work she said she wanted to return and was amazed at the dedication of the family who ran the farm.

After completing her placement, she spent three days travelling around East London in South Africa as well as Cape Town.

“It opened my eyes to how other people live and seeing the extent of the poverty over there.

“One woman had just given birth and had nothing so we went around the local community and found her clothes for the baby.”

Now she has returned home, she plans to meet Worcester News reader Francis Davies, who donated funds for the trip.