An old rocking horse has been transformed into a ‘steampunk’ ornament and is now on sale for charity.

The rocking horse, first donated to Haven House Children's Hospice store in Loughton High Street, was crafted by store assistant manager Michelle Taylor for the children’s hospice’s 24/7 charity fundraising drive.

The Loughton store was challenged to raise £247.

The idea came to Michelle when a “tired and old” rocking horse was donated to the store, “too old and battered to sell”, she explained.

Michelle transformed it in her garage into a steampunk unicorn, which is now featured in the shop window.

Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction that incorporates technology and aesthetic designs inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery

Customers, both in store and on social media, are invited to make bids of £100 or more to own the unicorn, and the highest bid at the end of the month will get to take him home.

Money raised will go towards Haven House. The hospice’s staff provide support and care to seriously ill children – 24 hours a day, seven days a week.