A RIDING therapy centre has been awarded more than £3,500 by county council chiefs to fund sessions with Lymington primary schoolchildren.

The Fortune Centre of Riding Therapy, in Bransgore, provides weekly sessions for youngsters with a variety of physical, learning, communication and emotional difficulties. Horses are used to develop individual skills and to switch the focus from disability to ability.

Among the children attending the centre are eight pupils from Tiptoe Primary School in Lymington, whose families contribute to the cost of their sessions.

There is still a shortfall of £3,680 in funding their sessions despite this financial help.

The leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Ken Thornber, said: "I'm delighted to be able to award this grant.

"The centre provides all the children that attend its lessons with an enjoyable and beneficial experience. We have supported this charity in the past with grants to update its facilities and to buy a horse called Hampshire Stowaway and I'm pleased to be in a position to help once again."