A SOUTHAMPTON butcher has stepped in to save New Forest ponies from ending up in beefburgers.

Uptons of Bassett put a sign outside their shop urging people to buy from the butcher rather than risk eating one of Hampshire’s wild horses.

Upton’s owner, Simon Broadribb, said many of his customers have said they’re worried about what they’re eating now, and last week at least four people returned to them after shopping at supermarkets, because of the ongoing horse meat scandal.

He said: “We know where each cut of meat comes from – the farmer, the breed, everything, and try to buy from within Hampshire or on the Hampshire borders.

“People should find out the provenance of what they’re buying so they know exactly what it is.”