THE "DEATH" of a popular riding school has left dozens of its young pupils heartbroken.

Barrows Farm Riding School on Carr Mill Road in Billinge is due to close on Saturday, April 1, just 18 months after opening, because of what is claimed to be a massive increase in business rates.

The riding school, which is visited by up to 70 people a week, is mainly used by children aged between 3 and 16 years old. Now parents fear that their children will be left without anything to do in their free time.

Joanne Lowe, who runs the school, says that she cannot afford to keep the stables open: "We have a lot of children who work at the farm and learn the basic skills involved in looking after horses. We also run summer courses and award schemes. There is a real community atmosphere at the stables and I feel as though I'm being penalised for the good work that we do."

Joanne also stressed that the consequences of the closure will be enormous. She added: "It will have a knock on effect on local farmers and suppliers. We also have livery horses here that cannot be moved because of the foot and mouth crisis." Although Joanne has appealed for business rates to be reduced, the lengthy process could take up to two years.

Concerned parents are desperately trying to put together a rescue package for the school and have contacted the Star to express their fears. Gill Liptrot from Greenfield View in Billinge, whose 10 year old daughter Zoe spends most of her spare time at the stables, has written to the Star saying: "The children are absolutely devastated with this decision and find it hard to believe. We feel that our children will suffer if this closure goes ahead and Billinge as a community will have more children roaming our streets with nothing to do. Perhaps the council could look at ways to encourage such facilities by charging less rates to projects where children are involved."

Darren Gilchrist, whose 14-year-old daughter Jennifer rents a horse at the stables, compared the closure to a death. He said: "Jennifer has bonded with the horse and now the closure feels as though something has died. We may even be forced to buy the horse ."

And Darren stressed that one of the most immediate concerns for parents was to find a new home for the horses which are currently at the school.

Since the announcement, angry parents have set up a 'Save Our Stables' campaign. And Joanne says that she has been overwhelmed by the support from parents.