A HORSE called Caesar is conquering hearts at a disabled riding group.

Middlesbrough charity, The Unicorn Centre, has added Caesar to its stable of horses thanks to a four-figure grant from the Newcastle Building Society.

The Unicorn Centre is a purpose-built facility offering riding therapy and learning opportunities for over 200 disabled people from the Tees Valley area each week.

However, it had been struggling to keep up with demand for riding lessons and had been looking to add to its stable of horses so it could reduce its growing waiting list.

After being awarded a £3,000 grant through Newcastle Building Society's Linthorpe Road branch, the charity needed the right horse and found Caesar with a private seller in North Yorkshire.

Claire Pitt, centre manager, said: "Our horses work with people who have a range of different disabilities, so as well as needing to be physically big enough for adults to ride, our planned new addition also needed the right type of calm temperament.

“Caesar is a substantial character with a lovely personality and was precisely what we were looking for – we were really lucky to find him and he already has a big fan club among our riders."