One of the working shire horses, that are such a popular attraction at Bradford Industrial Museum, has died.

Major joined the Horses at Work team two years ago and, after an initial training period, had started to become a firm favourite among both staff and visitors.

While at the museum he not only provided rides to eager visitors, but worked in Bradford and Keighley on plant watering duties and appeared at the Great Yorkshire Show.

Staff called out a vet as Major was suffering from what was thought to be a bout of colic.

This was later diagnosed as a twisted gut and he was taken to a clinic for further treatment. Despite the veterinary surgeon's best efforts, Major died during the operation intended to save his life.

He worked alongside three other horses, Murdoch - who was one of two brothers named by Telegraph & Argus readers in 2005 - Noble and D'Arcy.

Five days a week visitors can get the chance to be introduced to the museum horses, both old and new, at 11.15am from Tuesday to Saturday. And at 1.30pm on each of these days and on Sundays, the horses are available for horse-drawn rides. Noble and Murdoch have become old favourites at the museum, but as their training reaches a conclusion, D'Arcy will begin to share the workload.

The horses programme of work changes daily and may include work in singles or pairs, harrowing, long-reining, tram training or pulling the plant watering carts that are used in the centre of Bradford and Keighley.

Bradford Council is one of the few local authorities to still keep and employ its own horses.

The horses and some of the vehicles in the museum's collection are also available for hire for film, television, parades, galas, weddings, and fetes.

For more details call Neil Hinchliffe on (01274) 435887.

e-mail: jo.winrow @bradford.newsquest.co.uk