A TEENAGER who suffers from an incurable condition has been left heartbroken by the theft of horse-riding equipment.

Aimee Barber, 15, has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a rare condition which weakens the skin, ligaments and internal organs.

Because of her condition, she is unable to ride horses, but one of the few activities she can enjoy is being pulled in a trap.

Now, she is unable to do even that after a burglary at her family's allotment stable in Trimdon Village, County Durham.

Thieves stole more than £1,000 of equipment during the early hours of yesterday, including three full sets of harnesses and a Western-style saddle and bridle.

Aimee's father, William, said the family has just bought Aimee a Shetland pony.

He said: "This is devastating for her. She's really upset and she's frightened they might come back and hurt her horses."

PC Charlie Huxley of Sedgefield police said: "The most upsetting thing is that she is a 15-year-old with a life-threatening illness and this is her only hobby."

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Huxley on (01325) 314401.