Staff at Wadworth Brewery in Devizes are mourning the death of one of their retired Shire horses.

Tom worked for the brewery, delivering ale to pubs in the town centre, for seven years until he was put out to pasture three years ago. He was 17 and had been living at HorseWorld, a charity at Whitchurch near Bristol. He died peacefully on Monday.

Tom’s biggest fan was eight-year-old Alfie Waker, of Westbury, who has done two sponsored cycle rides for HorseWorld, raising more than £2,000.

Tricia Hurle, marketing and stables administrator at Wadworth, described Tom as a “gentle giant” who would be missed by everyone who knew him.