THE founder of a disabled riding group in Bexley has received an award from the Princess Royal for her work.

Anita Claridge, a paediatric physiotherapist, founded Bexley’s Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) in 1977, to help improve the wellbeing of children with physical disabilities.

She still continues her work and is also involved with the RDA’s Arrow Riding and Carriage Driving centre in Dartford.

Princess Anne is president of the RDA and this was the first year the President’s Awards have been given.

Mrs Claridge was one of only 21 volunteers out of 18,000 to receive one, during the RDA national dressage competitions held at Hartpury Agricultural College in Gloucester.