ACA LIMITED edition figurine of champion racehorse Best Mate has been presented to its owner Jim Lewis.

The bone china study of the

much-loved horse, who died after a race at Exeter last year, is being produced by Royal Worcester Porcelain.

The first finished model, one of only 200 being produced, was presented to Mr Lewis, of Callow End, at the Royal Worcester Museum yesterday.

Royalties from sales will be donated to St Richard's Hospice. Mr Lewis said: "Even though he is not here, Best Mate is still raising money for charity, and that's wonderful."

Royal Worcester came up with the idea of immortalising the three-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner in November last year. Peter Watson, sales and marketing director at Royal Worcester, said: "Roger Green, from our manufacturing unit, thought of doing a figurine and then, totally unconnected, Peter Jones, from the china company, came to me with the same idea. We went to Jim and he agreed it would be a fitting tribute to the local champion."I am certain they will be snapped up quickly. When they are gone they are gone, we will never make any more."

The 10.5ins figurines, hand painted by Sally Wood, are available from Peter Jones China, priced £1,695.

A life-size bronze of Best Mate is to be placed at Cheltenham Racecourse on Tuesday, March 14.