RE-OPENING of bridleways and moorland in Swaledale and Arkengarthdale has given the green light to a business venture put on hold earlier this year because of foot-and-mouth restrictions.

Mrs Jane Baker had hoped to open her pony trekking centre at Easter, but the blanket closure of rights of way brought a frustrating postponement.

Her plans have now been revived, and the Arkle Moor riding centre, near the Arkengarthdale village of Langthwaite, opens for business tomorrow.

Mrs Baker, aged 51, a part time nurse at Reeth surgery, wanted an excuse to do more riding and saw the opening of a trekking centre as a way of sharing her love of horses and the dales countryside.

"I have ridden all my life," she said. "As I left school, I went to Berkshire with a friend to work with hunters and point-to-pointers. I then taught riding at a boys' prep school, which was very enjoyable."

Mrs Baker, who has lived at East Intake House, between Reeth and Langthwaite, for six years, then trained as a nurse but spent her spare time competing at show jumping and cross country events.

When her three sons came along - Chris, now aged 27, John, aged 25, and Richard, aged 23 - she had less time for riding but eventually bought an unbroken thoroughbred gelding, which is now aged 20 and something of a family pet.

About three years ago she bought a part-broken Welsh cob mare, Cally, which gave her the idea for a trekking centre. "I thought it would be a lovely idea to share the riding and the countryside with other people and I had the opportunity to rent ten acres of land about a mile and half from our home," she said. "I planned to open in April, but it was all snookered by foot-and-mouth."

She had already bought four more ponies - Millie, a black and white cob, Bridget, a Fell, Molly, a Dales, and Charlie Brown, an Appaloosa - and converted a barn to stables.

Her sons and husband, Bob, a gamekeeper, helped her with the horses, and continue to do so, allowing her to fit the new venture around surgery shifts.

Bedale enterprise centre helped with advice and pointed her in the direction of financial aid and she secured a business loan from Richmondshire council.

An open day tomorrow officially launches the business and proceeds go to the Riding for the Disabled Association. The day, 11am-4pm, includes a barbecue, bran tub, pony and trap rides and the chance for complete novices to sit on a horse for the first time.

The centre is aimed at all ages and abilities but Mrs Baker expects most of her business will come from holidaymakers. Rides range from an hour to all-day picnic hacks.

l Arkle Moor riding centre is off the Arkengarthdale road from Reeth, turning right after the CB inn at a junction signposted for Barnard Castle and continuing for a mile. Mrs Baker can be contacted on 01748 884731.