RIDERS from across Surrey congregated at St Martha’s Church, in Chilworth, for the revival of a special equestrian service that was last conducted in the county in 2008.

More than 35 horses were blessed by the Rev Stephanie Sokolowski and received a commemorative rosette at the ceremony in the church’s hilltop grounds.

The event was co-ordinated by the Surrey Hills Board as part of its events to celebrate 60 years of the Surrey Hills being designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Its equestrian working group, which helps to promote, manage and enhance horse riding opportunities in the Surrey Hills, has published a series of new hacking trails at www.surreyhills.org/route/horse-riding