A major three-day operation involving emergency rescue teams had a happy ending on Tuesday.

Welsh Mountain pony Goldie, a two-year-old gelding, was successfully recovered from a cove at Ragwen Point, near Pendine.

A member of the public had raised the alarm with the coastguard after sighting the animal's plight while walking in the area on Sunday afternoon.

Tenby Coastguard Rescue Team and the resort's inshore lifeboat investigated the report and found Goldie in a good condition after slipping 20 metres down the cliff and becoming trapped in an isolated cove.

The RSPCA were called by the coastguard, but as it had already started to become dark, it became clear that there would be no easy way of getting the pony off the beach that night. As the pony was uninjured and in good health and the coastguard advised that the incoming tide could not reach him, Goldie was left overnight with fresh water and hay.

The following day, a team from the RSPCA and coastguard returned with a vet from Narberth to the cove. It was agreed that the safest way of getting Goldie off the beach was by airlifting him by helicopter. Unfortunately, the RAF didn't have a helicopter available and a second option of swimming the pony into the sea and attaching him to the RNLI lifeboat was also ruled out due to the rough seas and high wind. With options fast running out, it was reluctantly decided to leave Goldie for another night and try again the following day.

On Tuesday, a team from the RSPCA, coastguard and Mid and West Wales Fire Service decided that sedating Goldie and hoisting him up the cliff face using the fire service's heavy-lifting equipment was the only option.

Goldie was checked over again and found to be in good health. He was placed in a safety harness, and once sedated by the vet, was quickly wrapped in heavy-duty tarpaulin which acted like a protective bag around him while he was slowly hoisted to the top of the slope.

Once at the surface, he was gently brought round and within 20 minutes was walking around as if nothing had happened!

RSPCA inspector Richard Abbott said: "The forces of good came together on day two of this rescue. A large coastguard team and Mid and West Fire Service turned out to help this little Welsh Mountain pony, who we have affectionately nicknamed Cliff.

"It was a very difficult walk to get to Goldie with heavy kit, but teamwork, good weather and a very well behaved pony meant Goldie was rescued with absolutely no injuries at all."

Added Dave Miller, sector manager for South Pembs. coastguard: "Staff from the local Marros Riding Centre also lent their expertise and took the animal into care after the recovery.

"The hardest part of the operation was carrying all the equipment needed to and from this remote location over some challenging terrain."

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service Station Manager, Simon Pearson said: "We had a good mile-and-half-walk to the rescue location with various items of equipment which created a physically demanding start to the operation. However, we worked well with our partners in what was a very challenging and technically demanding rescue. The fire crews from Whitland did an outstanding job and I'd like to extend my thanks to them and all our partners for their work in bringing the horse to safety."

Goldie has now been returned to his owner who is absolutely thrilled to have him back safe and sound.