A GROUP of disabled people set off on an epic journey by horse and carriage this week in a bid to show the world that a spinal injury need not get in the way of involvement with equestrian sport.

They set off from the spinal unit in Salisbury district hospital on a 140-mile, 8-day journey to the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, London, dropping in to Stoke Mandeville spinal unit and raising money all the way.

Steve Manyweathers, Carol Porter, Rachel Stevens and Lyndsey Tyas are all experienced equestrians who compete regularly at high-level competitions for disabled horsemen and women.

They met up and decided that their common interest would be a perfect way to raise money for the spinal injury charity Aspire.

A fundraising target of £25,000 will to go towards the refurbishment of the rehabilitation unit at Stanmore hospital.

They chose Salisbury as their starting point because Carol received her treatment in the Duke of Cornwall spinal unit here.

They plan to share the driving in two carriages. Lyndsey said: "We are confident we will make the £25,000. We will be stopping off at a number of pubs which have held quizzes and fundraising events for us.

"And along the way we want to raise awareness of spinal injury and let people know that just because you have had an accident doesn't mean you have to be stuck around doing nothing. Equestrian sport for the disabled is really growing."