A MICRO boar who hit the headlines over the years, from his home in a Sandown garden, has died at the age of 14.

Ebony was a 40th birthday present for owner Dadina Sagger-Hayward in 2005, and the County Press ran an article about the unusual pet.

For the first three years of Ebony's life, he lived indoors with the family at The Broadway, until be became too big.

He then took over the playhouse of Dadina's daughter Dayita, and the family added underfloor heating and light for the winter months.

Dadina said: "Lots of people knew Ebony as children would come to play with him, and he also made the news from time to time in the County Press.

"Every birthday he would get a cake made from pig nuts and decorated as a treat, and he was always included in family events.

"He will be missed as he was a very big part of our life. Thank you to all those that supplied us with old quilts for his winter months and the kind words and cards since his passing."