WHEN redundancy struck, a lifelong animal lover did not have far to look to find a new career.

Kate Cassidy has swapped a daily commute to an indoor job in a pharmaceutical plant for running an equestrian and pet business on her doorstep.

Backed by Government funding, the former Glaxo SmithKline worker launched Pinfold Equestrian and Pet Services at her home at High Pinfold Cottage, Daddry Shield, in Weardale, County Durham.

A keen rider since she was four and a British Horse Society Horsemaster, she has stabling for seven horses on the six-acre smallholding, where she farms sheep and produces hay.

With the stables fully booked, she offers riding lessons to clients and tourists and has set up a pet sitting and dog walking service at the same time.

She breaks and schools horses and ponies, stables horses who are convalescing from illness or injury and will take in almost any pet while their owners are away - including hens, ducks, cats, dogs and goats.

A grant from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has helped to fund a new all-weather arena and professional show jumps so that clients who keep their horses at the stables can ride all year round.

She said: "We've got some fantastic places to ride in the surrounding countryside, but during the winter it is a struggle as the land gets so muddy.

"By installing the all-weather arena, we can ensure there's somewhere to ride and exercise the horses all year and the jumps will give those interested in taking their skills further or entering competitions a place to practice."

Karen Purvis, an advisor at Defra's rural development service in the North-East, said: "Kate Cassidy is providing a valuable service to both horse and pet owners and, by adding these new facilities, she can cater for the needs of existing customers and, hopefully, attract new ones."