The charity Park Lane Stables Riding for the Disabled confirmed today that, with great regret, it is looking for a new home, after its landlords served a notice of eviction for the end of May 2021 when their current lease expires.

This has followed a long negotiation which resulted in the charity being asked to purchase the property for an amount far in excess of its worth according to three independent valuations.

The charity was originally served with an eviction notice on New Year's Eve 2020, unless it paid the landlord's £1 million asking price to buy the property.

It ran a successful fundraising campaign to raise £1.3 million and secure its future, thanks to huge support from the public: locally, across the country and the world.

Unfortunately, the landlord increased the asking price to the full amount raised. Park Lane Stables have now been formally asked to leave at the end of the lease unless this alternative offer is matched, and it has been made clear there will be no further negotiation.

PLS couldn't legally overpay to such an extent, even if they wanted to, and therefore are left with no alternative but to find a new location.

After hearing the news Munira Wilson, MP for Twickenham said: "It is with great sadness that I hear the news today of the eviction of Park Lane Stables. I know from talking to local residents how cherished the stables are by the community in Teddington, Twickenham and far beyond.

"For over 12 years, their horse riding, carriage driving and other horse-based therapies for adults and especially children with disabilities have been a lifeline for many families. Every year, Park Lane Stables provides 3000 sessions for 350 local people with physical, sensory and learning disabilities, and mental health issues.

"I visited the stables in December, soon after they had been informed that the site would be put up for sale. Since then, Natalie and her team have worked tirelessly on the campaign to raise enough money to purchase the property and save the charity, and the British public have shown overwhelming generosity.

"Everyone at the stables continues to explore all options to reverse this eviction or find a suitable alternative site. Given the importance of these special stables to the local community and the limited options for development, I urge the landlord to think again.

"Park Lane Stables continue to have my full support in their efforts to retain this valued service within the area."

A spokesperson for the Park Lane Stables trustees said: "Our first concern is for the Park Lane Stables family and our horses.

"Thanks to the astonishing support of the public we now have the means to secure the charity's future and are now looking at alternative locations within the borough, to ensure we can maintain our RDA activities, keep accessibility easy for all our riders, and allow us to retain our colleagues and volunteers.

"We are confident we can do this but sad we have to leave our current home, which looks set to signal the end of at least 200 years of horses in central Teddington."

From June 1 they will move to Manor Farm Stables in Petersham, Richmond, on a temporary basis.