A RIDING school which offers people with disabilities the chance to experience horse and pony riding is to benefit from a partnership with a national charity.

The Unicorn Centre, off Stainton Way, Hemlington, Middlesbrough, has teamed up with Children's Hope, which is organising a charity ball at Sedgefield Racecourse.

Viv Watts, chief executive of Children's Hope, said: "The Unicorn Centre does fantastic work and we are pleased to be getting involved with them.

"It's amazing to see the difference in some of the children, from sitting in a wheelchair, to sitting on the back of a pony. They seem to be able to do things on the pony that they just can't do in a wheelchair.

"We are getting involved with charities and organisations across the North-East, but the Unicorn Centre is such a worthy cause because it really is unique, and people travel from all over to use the facilities."

Mrs Watts said that they would continue with a mysterious unicorn as the theme for the charity dance, on Saturday, October 6, to be called the Mystic Ball.

It will have a gourmet five-course meal, music from Seventies legends Mudd, a magician and an illusionist.

There will also be a charity auction, with lots including Breitling watches and a chance to fly in the aerobatic Breitling Jet Team.

Tickets, priced £100, are available from the racecourse, on 01740-627925, Children's Hope, on 0191-534-7788, or the Unicorn Centre, on 01642-576222.