HORSE insurance is on the up after a York business doubled in size.

NFU Mutual's specialist equine claims handling unit in York, which was set up three years ago, has doubled in the last six months. And eight of its 11 workers put their knowledge of horses down to their days as students at Bishop Burton College, Beverley.

Claire Radley, of Long Marston, near York, was one of the unit's founder members of staff.

She started at the company after completing a HND in Equine Management at the college and she is now section leader, responsible for an annual claims budget of more than £8 million.

Staff at the unit said their success was down to their experience with horses and their empathy with horse owners.

Updated: 09:51 Wednesday, March 10, 2004