TWO much-loved riding schools fear their horses could be left without feed and hay because a 'green' vehicle tax is making it too expensive for farmers to deliver to them.

Suppliers are considering cancelling visits to Aldersbrook Riding Stables and Aldborough Hall Equestrian Centre, after the new Low Emission Zone charge (LEZ) slapped a £200 daily levy on 12-tonne lorries, inside the M25.

The LEZ charge has cast a shadow over the future of the stables, which provide reduced-price riding sessions for disadvantaged Redbridge youngsters.

Ida Thorne, owner of Aldersbrook Riding Stables, in Empress Avenue, is struggling to meet spiralling feed costs and fears farmers may now stop delivering in London all together.

She said: "This new charge has put all London stables and city farms, in trouble, because many farmers don't think it's worth their while to deliver inside the charge zone.

"We have already seen the costs of feed and hay go up substantially, and this new charge had made our futures even more uncertain.

"This tax is supposed to be environmentally friendly, but it has put lots of businesses involved with animals in financial trouble."

From July the charge will apply to vehicles as small as 3.5 tonnes, which would include horse transporters and Bob Garrett of Aldborough Hall has already cancelled the stable's five annual dressage shows this summer, because competitors will not be able to afford to drive their horses into the borough.

Andrew Downing, who supplies Aldersbrook Riding Stables, is one of many farmers who are reconsidering delivering inside the charge zone.

He said: "This charge has left many of us in a position where it would actually cost us money to deliver in London, which is bad for us, and bad for our customers."

A spokesman for Transport for London (TfL), which enforces the charge, said: "TfL acknowledges that the Low Emission Zone could lead to increased costs for some vehicle operators, due to the need to upgrade or replace vehicles. "However, we believe that any negative impacts on some business sectors will be more than offset by the health and air quality benefits for the entire community."

For more information visit the LEZ website at www.tfl.gov.uk/lezlondon.