Having grazed the hills above a town for almost three decades, a “local celebrity” has died sparking tributes from animal lovers whose lives she “brightened”.

Kyra the horse has revelled in the attention from passers-by walking through her pastures next to Whinless Down nature reserve in Dover.

It meant the site, which is just off the Elms Vale Recreation Ground, had become synonymous not only for its views of the town and the surrounding countryside but also its residents.

It is a renowned focal point for several zoophilists to spend their time connecting with horses like Kyra, who along with making human friends was often seen mingling with the cattle herd.

However, after suffering from multiple age-related issues, the mare has been put to sleep at the age of 36.

Friends Paul Skelton and Kay Merry have owned and cared for several equine animals from their homes near the site and Kyra was a special horse for them to while away their time with.

Mr Skelton, who looked after her in Ms Merry's absence, says the mare's death will be felt by many animal lovers and ramblers as she was a hotspot for everyone for more than 25 years.

The Dover-born 63-year-old said: "Every morning Kyra would be let onto Whinless Down and you could more or less guarantee that she’d end up at the top, being seen grazing by all the people living opposite in the Elms Vale houses.

"Being an old lady, she would often have a rest on the footpath and lay down - often flat out and waiting to be fed treats by the children and dog walkers as they passed by.

"The number of times we got phone calls saying Kyra was laying down and is she alright. Well, she always appeared to be when we answered the call.

"She wasn’t phased by the dogs and people passing her - indeed she’d look up and take apples and Polos from the passers-by."

Despite being deaf and suffering from arthritis, both conditions didn’t deter Kyra from reaching the top of the banks.

However, her body suffered, ultimately, a sudden, fatal barrier less than two weeks ago.

"This last month, for some reason or another, she decided not to travel up to the top every day but stayed, more times than not down the bottom half," Mr Skelton explained.

"Perhaps the grass there tasted better, but whether at the top or bottom she had started to come back early for some reason as well.

"On September 23, she was waiting by the gate at about 3pm covered in mud and had obviously been having a roll - nothing new there.

"However, she didn’t look right as soon as she came home she wanted to lay down again in her field. She wouldn’t eat her food, not even a Polo or apple."

Examinations found Kyra's heart rate had increased and her breathing became shallow.

Although she rallied to stay alive, she died later that day.

Mr Skelton, who says Kyra's time on Whinless Down coincided with his former horse, Sundance, sharing the plot with her, says seeing a horse so close to towners was unique.

"In their time both were given access to the banks and would follow the Dexter cattle about and even mingle with the herd at times," he said.

"She was definitely a local celebrity in the Elms Vale area [as she had] been there a good 25 years I'd say. Especially as she lived so close to the houses and not in the countryside.

"Farewell Kyra - you are surely going to be missed by all whose lives you brightened during your time on this earth."