RAIDERS grabbed thousands of pounds worth of property from two firms on Hedge End's Herald Industrial Estate - putting the future of a fledgling saddlery business in doubt.

Horse-mad 19-year-old Debbie Bulpit launched her own business, Horse Style, on September 1 last year.

But after raiders stole bridles, bits, horse rugs and equestrian clothing, she fears the burglary could spell the end.

She said: "I'm completely heartbroken. It is the only thing I wanted to do. But these people have taken so much that there is no way I can replace it all."

Debbie, who has ridden horses since the age of four and took a two-year national diploma in horse management at Sparsholt College after leaving school, was out riding when her dad discovered the burglary.

Mr Bulpit runs Rainbow Florist Supplies, a florists' wholesale business, from adjoining premises on the Herald Industrial Estate. His premises and his daughter's shop have separate front doors but are joined internally.

Mr Bulpit estimated the value of stolen goods from his daughter's saddlery was between £6,000 to £8,000. He had lost in the region of £4,000 worth of property from his business.

He said: "Being only 19 with a new, small business, Debbie is not in any position to borrow money. But her only ambition was to work in the equestrian industry."

Police at Hedge End said the raiders had struck sometime between 5.30pm on the night of Tuesday February 26 and 8am on Wednesday.

They have and appealed for anyone who saw anything suspicious, particularly any vehicles in the area, to contact them.