He is a friendly giant that always brings smiles to the faces of visitors to a animal charity.

Eastern Daily Press: Fox, left, with his friend Bungle at the Caldecott centre. Picture: RedwingsFox, left, with his friend Bungle at the Caldecott centre. Picture: Redwings (Image: Archant)

And now Fox, the black shire cross horse, has become a star in his own right after being chosen as Redwings Horse Sanctuary's latest adoption star.

Standing at an impressive 17.1 hands, Fox lives at the charity's Caldecott Visitor Centre at Fritton near Great Yarmouth.

Fox was selected for the scheme over the summer following the loss of the charity's shire horse adoption star Poppy due to sudden and severe colic.

Given an ambassadorial role, Fox will now be part of Redwings' adoption scheme, which has been running for over 30 years and allows supporters to sponsor one of its 24 adoption star horses or donkeys for just £12.50 per year, which goes towards their care and that of their fellow rescued friends.

Sponsors are kept up-to-date with letters or online diary entries, and they can visit their four-legged friend for free at the Redwings visitor centre where they live.

They are also invited to their adoption star's annual birthday party.

Fox arrived at Redwings in 2010 as part of a large group of horses when he was just a few months old. Their owner had passed away and no one was able to look after them.

While some of his friends were able to find new homes through Redwings, Fox has a condition which means he experiences stiffness in his legs from time-to-time and so he needs to stay at the sanctuary where he can be kept a close eye on by the vet team.

However, this doesn't stop him enjoying a game of chase with his best friend Bungle or running to the fence whenever the offer of a scratch arises.

Lynn Cutress, Redwings' chief executive, said: 'We're delighted to introduce Fox as our new adoption star and we hope our supporters will love him as much as we do.

'He's a real gentle giant who's always first to the fence to greet visitors making him the perfect ambassador for Redwings and the adoption scheme.

'By supporting him, his sponsors will also be helping the hundreds of horses, ponies, donkeys and mules in our care nationwide making him our very own fantastic Mr Fox.'

For information about adopting Fox, call 01508 481000 or visit www.redwings.org.uk/adopting