A YOUNG girl who was injured in a riding accident has got back on a horse to raise funds for the hospital where she was treated.

Eight-year-old Sarah Daniel, from Thirsk, was taken to Northallerton's Friarage Hospital with a collapsed lung in February after a fall from her pony.

The Sowerby School pupil was treated in the children's unit for several days before being released, and over the following months regained her confidence and started riding again.

With the help of family friend Clare Metcalfe, Sarah has been steadily improving her skills and has even started entering competitions.

On Sunday, she and Ms Metcalfe completed a sponsored eight-mile pleasure ride around Pateley Bridge, raising £150 for the hospital children's unit.

Sarah received sponsorship from her family, friends, school staff and from workers at Dalton Packaging and NTS on the Dalton Industrial Estate, where her mother works.

"I was absolutely amazed by the fantastic treatment she received at the hospital," said mother Debra Daniel. "It was better than a four-star hotel. Whatever she wanted or needed, there was someone there to see to it.

"I'm delighted that she's been able to raise this much money, and it's also wonderful to see her back on a horse. We owe a lot of thanks to Clare for helping her through a difficult period after the accident, because if it wasn't for her encouragement, Sarah would never have ridden again."