DOC Martin actor Martin Clunes has taken up doodling – for a cause close to his heart.

Martin Clunes has been a supporter of the ground-breaking west Dorset mental health charity TheHorseCourse since its early days working with young offenders in Portland prison and as patron he has been unstinting in his support.

Now, despite avowing he’s no artist, he has sketched his favourite horse, the gorgeous Clydesdale Bruce, as a fundraiser for the Weymouth-based charity.

It’s a one-off signed doodle – there will be no copies – and it’s for sale on Ebay at https://tinyurl.com/yd2xqbqd until Wednesday December 19.

He’s posted a humorous video on TheHorseCourse Facebook page, which can be seen at https://www.facebook.com/TheHorseCourse/, pretending, Mafia-style, that one of his beloved dogs will come to a sticky end if people don’t bid.

Whoever does place the winning bid will get the satisfaction of knowing the dog is safe and they’ll have a personal video thank you message from Martin as well. 

TheHorseCourse CEO Harriet Laurie said: “We are always grateful to Martin for his support and he’s always such a good sport about what we ask him to do.

"Despite trying to tell me he wasn’t much of an artist and could only draw elephants he came up with this charming doodle of his horse Bruce.

“This is a one-off original, there will be no copies – a perfect Christmas present for your favourite Cluniac!.

“The work we do here at TheHorseCourse is proven to help people when all else has failed.

“So pease dig deep into your pockets for the chance to own a Martin Clunes original and to help those who are facing extreme challenges."

Martin has also just been to the TheHorseCourse HQ to spread some Christmas Cheer at the charity’s Christmas party for staff, volunteers and past participants where he was game to try some horsey challenges and sing carols around the tree.

Harriet added: “It was a lovely night with everyone entering into the spirit of the event, having fun with two of our super ponies Pegasus and Sam and then enjoying a few rousing choruses of their favourite carols.”.