Relieved riders from a stables in Teddington will be celebrating their recent success in royal style.

After a tireless community campaign and an appearance on BBC Breakfast last week, Park Lane Stables reached the £1 million fundraising goal required to remain open.

Threatened with closure in February the horse riding academy, which specialises in lessons for people with disabilities, secured its future in a matter of weeks.

Yesterday (Feb 25), owner Natalie O’Rourke, volunteer Bess Limmer and the team of campaigners at the stables received recognition for their hard work in a letter from the Queen.

[video: BBC]

Her Highness extended an invitation for 12 young people to view the Royal Mews stables at Buckingham Palace - when it is safe to do so.

Natalie O'Rourke described the opportunity as the "icing on the cake" in an interview on BBC Breakfast.

She said: "I must admit I nearly fainted, I couldn't believe it. To get the royal seal of approval is just amazing, we're totally blown away by everything that's happened."

"I'm just so happy for the young people, they put all the effort in, they muck out they do all the unglamorous jobs and now they've been invited to the palace, it's like a fairytale."