One of France’s oldest breeds of heavy horses, the Poitevin, may be saved from extinction if breeders succeed in convincing local authorities to draft them into service to pull dustbin carts.

Dozens of French towns and villages have already ditched dustbin lorries in favour of horses and carts as a greener way to collect household waste.

Enthusiasts are trying to persuade more of them to use the sturdy, long-maned Poitevin. The horses were on the verge of extinction 20 years ago after being replaced by tractors on farms

They owe their survival to the efforts of about 100 breeders in the south-western region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, but remain in danger of dying out. About 1,300 are left in the world and only a few dozen foals are born each year.