The co-founder and manager of a Wiltshire charity has been awarded an MBE in the 2023 New Year Honours list.

Helen Yeadon was recognised for her services to young people and racehorses. She runs Greatwood Charity, which she began in Marlborough with her late husband Michael 25 years ago.

Greatwood offers racehorses new careers after retirement and supports thousands of children and young adults with additional needs by providing animal assisted intervention.

Mrs Yeadon, a racing enthusiast since she was seven, was proud that the charity had “transformed many young people’s lives.”

She said: “It’s wonderful news, I feel very proud of the charity. All those years ago there wasn’t anything in place for racehorses when their racing days were over… now we give them a further career.

“They can do a range of things but one of the most valuable is to be used as an educational vehicle for children and young people with special needs. They are able to instil a sense of self confidence and self-esteem into young people who may be struggling in the classroom environment.”

The charity’s educational programmes began in 2006 and are run by qualified teachers for children who are referred from Wiltshire and the surrounding counties.

Greatwood will announce plans for their 25th anniversary celebration, for all their supporters, this year.