STUNT ponies riding through burning poles with breathtaking speed and accuracy took centre stage at the North Devon Show.

The Chariots of Fire pony driving display led by Amanda Saville was a big attraction in the main arena last Wednesday.

Amanda, from Scotland, drives at speed around the parade ring and over ramps where there is only a four-inch margin of error.

The carriage then hurtles through flaming obstacles to the delight of onlookers.

Amanda told the crowd: "It is absolutely fantastic to be here at this wonderful new ground. Everybody seems to be enjoying themselves which is the main thing."

During the second performance of the day announcer Keith Cummings volunteered to be one of four people lying down beneath a ramp for the display carriage to jump over.

Amanda said: "People ask if it is really difficult to get ponies to go through fire but it is in fact easy. The jumping is the hard part."