A PIONEERING riding therapy centre for the disabled has been granted a seal of approval by one on Lancashire's leading clergymen.

The Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Rev Alan Chesters, has become a trustee of Lord's House Farm Centre, Rishton.

The centre, run by born-again Christian Mary Eagles, is a registered charity providing riding facilities to disabled people, mainly youngsters.

The bishop was invited to become a trustee after a recent visit to the centre.

He said: "I was very impressed with the riding which was being offered to mentally handicapped young people and the other facilities on offer.

"I was very pleased and privileged to be asked to take part and I will do all I can to help to promote it. It's a wonderful project and I hope people will support it."

Mrs Eagles said she was delighted that the bishop was supporting Lord's House Farm.

"It's great news that the bishop has come on board," she said. "Some people think that because I started Lord's House Farm I am running a lucrative business off the back of a charity, However, every penny that comes in goes straight back into the centre.

"Last year we had a turnover of £52,000 and the only money left at the end of the year was £245.

"As a trustee, the bishop will be privy to every bit of information and there's no way he would encourage anyone to make money from the centre."

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