WORCESTERSHIRE County Council has been praised for galloping to the rescue of a riding school which faced going out of business after floods devastated the premises in February. The council's flood fund has been described as "invaluable" by Deni Harper-Adams, who runs Worcester Riding School at Clifton, near Severn Stoke.

Ms Harper-Adams is set to receive £4,500 in grant funding after floods destroyed 90 per cent of the 100 acres of grazing land, depleted stocks of hay feed for the school's 80-plus horses and ponies and levelled much of the fencing around the facility,

She said: "We had to rescue several ponies that were trapped by flood water late one Friday night. By the next morning, the flood water had risen and cornered more than a dozen of our horses as well. The fields were uninhabitable, the water kept coming and I knew that we were in trouble. Several riding schools have gone to the wall in recent years and I thought we could be next. "Within days of being flooded and the school being put forward for the fund, a county council representative called me and I was helped through the application process. I really appreciated being able to speak to someone and get help."

Councillor Phil Grove, portfolio holder for economic development at Malvern Hills District Council, said: "Hearing the positive effects of collaborative partnership working between district and county council to deliver quick help and support to businesses in distress was inspiring."

Councillor Simon Geraghty, Worcestershire County Council deputy leader and cabinet member for economy, skills and Infrastructure, added: "It was great to see first-hand the difference that the money is making for businesses affected by the flood. I can see it has really helped them to once again be open for business quickly. I would urge anyone whose business has been affected but is yet to apply to do so now."

For more information, to receive an application pack or be signposted to other offers of support for businesses, including farms, visit www.business-central.co.uk/floodfund, email info@business-central.co.uk or call Worcestershire.Business.Central on 0300 123 1440. The lines will be staffed Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.