A CHARITY providing therapeutic riding lessons for disabled people has taken delivery of a £17,000 mechanical horse.

Called Stan, he is the first of his kind to be able to move from walk to trot to canter with just a nudge of the legs. He was delivered to Follifoot Park Disabled Riding Group in Harrogate three weeks ago, and is already a star attraction.

Charity chairwoman Rosie Towers said: "Everybody who has tried him absolutely loves him.

"The movement you get from riding a horse is the same as if you are walking. If you have a disability or if you are perhaps in a wheelchair, it is mindblowingly wonderful to be able to have that movement."

The charity operates from the Follifoot Park Horse Riding Centre on Pannal Road and runs 18 sessions of riding a week for people of all ages with disabilities.