TV ACTOR Martin Clunes was the special guest at an open day hosted by a charitable organisation which looks after retired racehorses.

Martin, star of hit shows such as Men Behaving Badly and Doc Martin, was joined by his wife Philippa at the Racehorse Rehoming Centre at Combe St Nicholas for the event on Sunday.

They officially opened a new barn which has become home to some of the centre’s horses as a stable block.

The centre rescues, rehabilitates and re-homes former racehorses with the aim of giving them a worthwhile future.

Martin, a big horse fan, said: “It gives us enormous pleasure to declare this lovely barn well and truly open.

“Amazing work is done here to look after and care for these horses, which could easily fall through the net and come to a horrible end.”

Martin and his wife unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark the opening of the new stable block and he joked: “I’m so pleased – they’ve spelt my name right!”

The charity was set up in 1995 after 15 years of being run as a notfor- profit organisation. Among the ‘star’ horses at the centre are Deep Space, who won at Royal Ascot in 1999, and Supreme Glory, who won the Welsh Grand National in 2001 and was a 40-1 runner- up to Monty’s Pass in the 2003 Grand National at Aintree.

The open day also included a dog show, displays by police dog handlers and a demonstration of horsemanship with Bob Grave.

The new barn will provide a much warmer environment for the centre’s older resident horses, who suffer from rheumatism and arthritis.

Tessa Westlake from the centre organised the event and she was delighted with how everything went – even rain failed to dampen spirits.

She would like to thank everyone who attended and Martin Clunes and his wife for officially opening the new barn.

For more information about the centre call 01460-67189 or email racehorserehoming@btinternet.com