A NEW addition at the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) Carriage Driving Group will give wheelchair users the chance to drive for the first time.

Prince the pony is on the road to training towards reaching RDA standards which the group hopes he will complete by October.

In the meantime their resident horse, 21-year-old Tom, is working hard to 'pay' for his own keep but also Prince's until he qualifies.

Chairman of the group, Glenda Ward-Watton said: "Prince arrived at Reinhill at the Hyde in Newnham earlier this month already carriage broken, which is where he will pull the carriage and is happy to do so.

"This will mean not only a lot more clients, but we will be able to take wheelchair users for the first time. Prince has been very kindly loaned to us by Mrs Elizabeth Way, of Purlieus Farm, Minety near Malmesbury.

"To be classed as fit for RDA he has to undergo an assessment and is being 'educated' to become an RDA horse whereby he is safe to take clients and obeys commands. Our qualified drivers also have to undergo a gruelling assessment and our aim is that at least one of them will be ready at the same as Prince."

The group moved its premises form Woolaston after 14 years to Newnham in January.

Glenda added: "We decided the only way we could grow our group was to move to premises that would allow that growth.

"Since we held a coffee morning and demonstration in April, we have more than doubled the number of clients who drive, and have lots more interested."