YOUNGSTERS with disabilities have welcomed two new four-legged members to their riding school thanks to the generosity of a bank.

Young cobs Lloyds and TSB were proudly shown off at Crimdon Disabled Riding Club on Wednesday to the excitement of special needs children.

The Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales gave the stables a £10,000 grant, which paid for the two sturdy horses, along with riding equipment, material for riding jumps and a trailer.

The two cobs were selected for their age, weight and temperament to help teach carriage driving to children who are too severely disabled to ride a horse.

Club chairman Julie Robinson said: "Lloyds and TSB are thoroughly enjoying their new home and are a huge success with staff and visitors.

"We would also like to thank Cleveland Community Foundation for their kind donation of the carriages."

Established to give disabled and disadvantaged people the opportunity to experience horse riding and carriage driving, the club also teaches basic horse care, organises gymkhanas and offers lessons up to Para-Olympic standards.

More than 100 people and 60 different groups caring for disabled and disadvantaged people benefit each year from visiting the riding club.

Spending time with the horses helps visitors to develop their physical health, motor function and co-ordination, as well as improve their mental health by helping them to become more responsive and alert.

Peter Ellis, North-East manager of Lloyds TSB Foundation, said: "We awarded this grant because this charity is making a wonderful difference to the lives of each and every visitor.

"We are also delighted that the local farmer who sold the cobs donated part of the payment to his local charity - UTASS (Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Services) - illustrating charity networking across the community, which, as a trust, we encourage at every given opportunity."