A horse-riding centre for people with disabilities has received a new saddle which will help young and adult riders in their lessons.

The equipment, worth almost £1,200, was donated to the Arrow Riding Centre for the Disabled in Dartford by a funeral company.

Nick Dear, from Doves Funeral Directors in Bromley, Orpington and Swanley, wanted to support a local charity.

He then contacted a saddlery in the hopes of finding a riding school which could benefit from a new saddle.

That's when he found out about Arrow Riding Centre, which works with 180 young people and adults with special needs every week.

Nick said: "The saddlery put me in touch with the Arrow Riding Centre in Dartford, a volunteer-based charity for young people and adults with special needs. The timing was ideal as they had a horse that was in desperate need of a new saddle so they could use her to carry disabled riders comfortably.

"You can’t beat the smile of a child with a disability doing something they thought they’d never do."

He added: "The riding school does some amazing work, and I am pleased that we have been able to support them. I hope that many people will enjoy riding Dolly and the new saddle will mean that Dolly is comfortable and can enjoy the lessons too."

Natalie Scott, head coach and yard manager at the riding centre, said the donation was a complete surprise, as the charity did not have any previous relationship with the funeral company and did not send out any appeals for donations.

She said: "The timing was perfect when Nick approached us. We had been training Dolly, an eight-year-old mare, for a while but she wasn't comfortable with her saddle which meant we couldn’t use her with the riders.

"We are so grateful to Doves Funeral Directors for this donation; it means that Dolly has a saddle which fits her well and she is comfortable carrying the riders. We can continue her training now and she is doing really well. I know she will make a great Riding for the Disabled Association horse."

Dolly is one of the centre's 10 horses and has been with the riding school for three years after being brought over from Ireland.

Councillor Rosanna Currans, outgoing Mayor of Dartford, attended the day when the saddle was gifted to Arrow Riding Centre. Cllr Currans provided the funds for Dolly and chose the Arrow Riding Centre as one of her special causes for her term in office.