A PONY trap used to help disadvantaged children and adults which was stolen in a burglary in Wick has been found by police in South Gloucestershire.

The trap was stolen from the home of Amy Lewis, director of Small Strides, a community interest company which provides equine interaction for people with mental health problems, learning difficulties, addictions, autism and children with development issues.

Thieves took the trap, a child’s bike and, most importantly, a horse trailer worth around £3,000 that is needed to transport a Shetland pony to schools and groups..

Mrs Lewis said the organisation, based in Keynsham, had been left devastated by the theft earlier this month.

She said the burglars got through three locks, including a padlocked gate and a wheel lock, to steal the trailer.

"It feels like it was a targeted burglary and they had possibly been watching," she said.

"We have been going since January and we really have been building everything up and so this is just devastating.”

After a public appeal for information, police received a tip-off about possible stolen property in Stoke Gifford. Officers went to a field in Curtis Lane on Friday (August 21) and found the trap. They identified it as stolen, traced the owner and arranged to return it the next day.

But the valuable horse trailer is still missing.

Mrs Lewis said: “It’s wonderful to have the trap returned but we really need to find the trailer or replace it.

“We’re going to have to start fundraising for a new one because we really need it for people’s therapy.”

Anyone with any information should contact police on 101. For more information on Small Strides go to smallstridescic.wix.com