A GWENT riding club lost all their equipment in a suspected arson attack - and now the fire is jeapoardising their annual show.

More than £5,000 worth of gear belonging to the Islwyn Riding Club went up in smoke during the early hours last Wednesday.

Now detectives from Gwent Police are investigating how their container, near the Pantref y Groes Farm between Croespenmaen and Newbridge, caught fire.

The blaze caused one horse-riding display to be cancelled yesterday, and is jeopardising the club's annual charity show organised for September 5.

Riding club committee member Lynne Davies, 36, said: "All our equipment and showjumps were kept in the container set on fire.

"Nothing is left - it has all been destroyed. It had taken us a long time to build up the equipment, so it is absolutely devastating.

"My 12-year-old daughter, Hannah, has been a member of the club for the last three years and she is extremely disappointed."

She added: "There are a lot of upset people because of the event we had to cancel. It is terrible to think that someone may have deliberately done this. Everything we have worked for over the last few years has gone."

The club is now appealing to anyone who can donate money or lend some equipment to them so the charity show in Newbridge scheduled for September can go ahead.

In the past few years thousands of pounds have been raised by the club for local charities and Cancer Research.

Penmaen councillor John Evans said: "If this was arson then I'm absolutely disgusted. Why can't people leave things like this alone? Society must be sick."

Detective Sergeant Mike Boycott, of Blackwood CID, said: "We are aware of the incident and investigating the possibility it was arson.

"We would urge anyone with information to contact Blackwood police station on 01495 223673."

* Anyone who can help the club should ring their secretary, Dave Blackwood, on 07973 278237.