STAFF at a Poole hospice have spoken of the "beautiful moment" a terminally-ill patient was visited by her beloved pets.

Skipper the pony and Buzz Lightyear the dog visited the woman at the Forest Holme Hospice in Seldown Road last week.

Paul Tucker, fundraising manager at the hospice, said both animals were brought in by the patient's family.

"It provided a truly magical moment for the owner, as well as for staff and other patients and visitors," he said.

"We always encourage families to bring pets in to visit loved ones, and have had cats, dogs, rabbits and even a horse come to the hospice to visit their owners.

"Our incredible nursing staff always go that extra mile to make wishes come true and create memories for patients and their love ones.

"It was a beautiful moment and we feel privileged to have been able to facilitate this visit at a crucial stage of her care."

Mr Tucker said staff at the hospice will "pull out all the stops" for those who receive end-of-life treatment at Forest Holme.

"It is absolutely right that we should pull out all the stops to ensure that our patients and their families receive personalised, compassionate and dignified care at the end of their life," he said.

"This is what we will always strive to achieve."

Forest Holme, which will be celebrating its 25th anniversary next year, provides care to patients living with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses across Poole, Wimborne and Purbeck.

The hospice, part of Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, is supported by Forest Holme Hospice Charity.

The charity needs to raise at least £820,000 every year to help enhance the NHS provision at the hospice.

For more information, visit forestholmehospice.org.uk