RIDING for the Disabled in Ludlow has been able to improve its work thanks to a lottery boost.

Ludlow and District RDA, an independent charity, originally built the arena 14 years ago with a Lottery grant, and over the years constant usage has compacted the sand riding surface to such an extent it has become like rock.

This causes it to flood whenever there is any significant rain.

The whole surface has to be dug up, the sand bashed about and re-laid, a relatively easy process but one which costs money for labour.

Now a grant of £1,200 will cover the cost of the work.

Riders make a contribution to the cost of each session but this leaves a shortfall that is made up by the charity.

“We are continually being asked to take on more riders but we are finding it increasingly difficult to raise the money for our existing riders and are worried that cutbacks in the number of riders we are able to fund may have to take place,” said the group organiser Margaret Anderson.

“In effect, we are victims of our own success.

“We welcome anyone interested in supporting us and invite you to visit us and see what we do.”

Ludlow & District RDA provides riding and carriage-driving activities to children and adults from Ludlow and the surrounding areas, who meet the requirements for RDA support and who can benefit in some way.

At the moment the group around 70 people who ride regularly.

Their disabilities are wide-ranging, from social and behavioural problems to severe mental and physical impairment. The group are based at North Farm in Whitcliffe.