POLICE were last night closing in on thieves who stole thousands of pounds worth of equipment from a disabled riding school, after the appeal was taken nationwide.

Miller’s Nook Riding School in Westhoughton was featured on Crimewatch Roadshow — a daytime spin-off of the BBC1 Crimewatch programme — yesterday.

And the appeal generated an overwhelming response from viewers across the country determined to help police catch the criminals responsible.

One viewer called to give the name and address of someone who may be responsible for the break-in at the Lostock Lane school on March 9.

Another couple called to say they believe they have spotted the equipment at a car boot sale in Cornwall.

And the show was flooded with generous offers of help for the riding school, which caters for scores of local youngsters with disabililties and helps them to develop new skills.

Police are now following up all the leads from the programme.

A spokesman said: “There has been an encouraging response from the public following this morning's Crimewatch Roadshow.

“So far, 31 calls have been received in relation to the incident and these will now be investigated.”

A gang struck at the school, which caters for about 90 children each week, when owners Brian Howard and Kath Miller were out between 5.30pm and 6.45pm on March 9. They only discovered what happened the following morning, when they went out to feed the animals.

The burglars got away with dozens of adapted leather saddles, worth tens of thousands of pounds. Mr Howard believed they were targeted because the thieves stole the most expensive of equipment.

He also believes the thieves mistreated their dogs because they behaved oddly with them after the incident.

Mr Howard and Ms Miller were forced to close the school temporarily. They, and the children who visit the school each week, were left devastated.

The raid was featured in The Bolton News and the riding school was flooded with offers of support and help, which meant the school could reopen again.

It was the second time in less than a year that the school was raided — in April 2008 thieves stole £10,000 worth of equipment.

The couple set up the school, which is a registered charity and affiliated to the Riding for the Disabled Association, after trying to find somewhere for Ms Miller’s disabled grandson, Jimmy, to learn to ride.

They were both interviewed for the programme, along with Westhoughton community beat manager PC Gareth Barnes who appealed to anyone with any information to come forward.

Mr Howard said: “We are delighted with the response from the programme. I really hope it helps the police to catch whoever did this.

He added: “We’ve been really touched by everyone’s support since this happened and we’d like to say thank you to them all.”

Anyone with any information should call police on 0161 872 5050 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.