A RIDING school for disabled children has been forced to close after it was ransacked by thieves.

The gang struck at Miller’s Nook Riding School in Lostock Lane, Westhougton, when owners Brian Howard and Kath Miller were away from the stables, which cater for about 90 children every week. The thieves took specialist equipment, including dozens of adapted leather saddles, worth tens of thousands of pounds.

It is the second time the school has been targeted by thieves in less than a year.

Last April, the stables were raided and equipment worth £10,000 was stolen. Now the owners of the charitable centre — who were not insured because they cannot afford it — do not know when they will reopen.

Mr Howard said: “Whoever’s done this clearly knows about horses and tack because they have left three saddles which are no good.

“We are going to have to close until we can get the money together to buy new saddles."

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