HARROW Riding Action Group has collected thousands of signatures on a petition supporting the creation of a riding school in the borough.

The move follows the closure, after 65 years, of Suzanne's riding School in Old Redding, Harrow Weald, which has left riders with no local stables or teaching facilities.

The action group includes many people who had used Suzanne's for a long time before it was shut last month by Julian Marczak, son of its founder, who has sold the site to developers.

Mr Marczak blamed increasing overheads, in particular insurance costs, for his decision to close the business.

The closure has hit hundreds of child and adult riders, including many disabled people, who have nowhere else to go. Some had been using Suzanne's for more than 20 years.

The action group's aim is to maintain the natural beauty of the area while finding a way to satisfy a huge demand for riding.

It argues that the continuance of a riding school in the area is important for the health and wellbeing of the community, as well as for the preservation of the Green Belt.

Group member Anne Agapiou said: "For many, this is their only opportunity to take a break from their nine-to-five lives in an active way in the fresh air.

"Most will never have the opportunity to ride again.

"Riding in north west London is becoming a sport for the wealthy at a time when riding should be developing as a sport for all."

If the Suzanne's site in unavailable, the group wants facilities provided on council-owned land.

It also wants the council's help in establishing a trust or not-for-profit company that could apply for funding from Sport England, which has already supported similar projects around the country.

Harrow Council said that the use of the Suzanne's site was a matter for the developers who now own the land.

It had not been approached by the action group about providing an alternative site or other support.