A GROUP of family and friends who set up a riding stable is devastated after thieves shattered their "dream" and stole £7,000 worth of equipment.

Tracy and Phil Morris bought their eight acres of land in Henllys, Cwmbran, last year with the vision of sharing their love of horse riding with family and friends.

"There's a group of us and altogether we have 12 horses up there, along with a container where we kept our equipment," said the 40-year-old mum of one.

On Monday afternoon she discovered thieves had broken into a container where the riding equipment is kept and taken saddles and bridles, worth a total of £7,000.

Mrs Morris, from Springvale, added: "It's heartbreaking really, there are a number of family members and friends, including nine of our children who keep horses and equipment there.

"This is a dream really, we only set the stables up at Christmas time, and two of our friends had only just brought up their gear and horses on Saturday."

According to Mrs Morris some of the saddles are worth up to £500 and £1,000 each.

"This is equipment we have all saved up for over many years - it wasn't insured, because of the sheer cost of the premiums, and it will be very expensive to replace," she added.

"Needless to say, we won't be keeping anything in the field after this, and we have approached farms in the area with a view to starting a Neighbourhood Watch group."

The incident happened on the Morris' land - fields off Craig-Ceiliog Lane, between Bettws and Henllys.

PC Darrell Dewar, crime and disorder reduction officer for Cwmbran said: "This is obviously a premeditated crime rather than an opportunist act. "It appears to have happened during the mid afternoon, and we are appealing for witnesses. If anyone did see anything suspicious they need to contact us as soon as possible.

"We understand farms in the surrounding area are now forming a Neighbourhood Watch group in a bid to stop this happening in the future." Call police on 01633 838111 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.