KIDS' TEARS AS THIEVES RAID RIDING SCHOOL

In a raid at the Chichester Riding School, The Street, Chiddingly, overnight on Friday, thieves broke into stables and took every piece of tack.

Jackie Russell who has run the stables for six years said: 'More than 30 saddles and bridles were taken.

'Most were specially made or adjusted to fit a particular horse or pony and they are irreplaceable.

'Saturday morning was dreadful.

'The children were crying and so were their mums and dads.'

Jackie was not insured and must now face the painful process of trying to find enough tack to enable her to carry on her business.

She said: 'Insurance is just the final straw. By the time you've paid public liability, your licence, hay and straw, hedgecutting, rolling and harrowing '“ let alone feeding the horses - it's hard to make ends meet.'

Saturday was the yard's busiest day with more than 50 children. Jackie said: 'We borrowed bits and pieces from people and managed to cobble together enough tack to hold one lesson that day but from here on it is going to be hard.'

But she praised friends and neighbours who came up trumps with saddlery they no longer needed.

Youngsters are also busy organising sponsored walks, raffles and quizzes to raise money to buy more.

If anyone can help out they should ring Jackie on 07746 635213.

Police say they are pessimistic about recovering the stolen goods worth about 16,000.

Hailsham crime prevention officer Dave Price told the Express: 'This sort of stuff is whisked away, out of the country or up north somewhere.

'It can be offered for sale a good price and people being what they are, they'll willingly buy a saddle for a 100 knowing it's worth a good deal more.'

This was the third major tack theft in the area. Thieves also broke into stables at Ripe, Heathfield and Jevington over the weekend.

Any information to police on 0845 6070999.