A NEW £190,000 family-run business is hoping to boost tourism and plug a gap in the horseriding market.

The Wensleydale Equestrian Centre, at Bainbridge, in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, opened its doors in June, hoping to cater for a growing demand.

Owner Joyce Thorpe converted an disused barn into an indoor arena with a tackroom area and built an outdoor arena next to it.

The centre has 22 horses which visitors can use and Mrs Thorpe said it has attracted more than 50 regular users.

She said: "We are filling a gap in the market with this new facility.

"We have always ridden and we had lots of people asking us where people could get lessons locally.

"There was an old cattle barn that was standing empty so we decided to buy it and then convert it into a riding centre."

Work on the centre began last September.

Husband and wife Michael and Joyce Thorpe run the centre as a six-day-a-week venture.

They are assisted by qualified riding instructors Ruth Pennel and Erika Mood.

The couple spent £120,000 on buying the former barn and a further £70,000 in converting it.

The centre offers attractions to cater for a range of ages and experiences. There are plans to extend the centre and build a cross-country course and a jumping section.

For more details ,contact 01969-650367 or www. wensleydaletrekking.co.uk