An Olympic equestrian will be able to expand the horse-riding facilities at her Salcombe Regis home if district bosses back her planning application.

Mary King, MBE, is bidding to build an outdoor ménage area and tennis court and change the use of an agricultural area into grazing land.

The proposals are for the land to the west of Thorn House, which she bought in 1981 and has since renovated a number of ‘beyond repair’ buildings, created four new stables and a horse walking machine.

Mrs King moved onto the site with her family in 2010 after the main barn on the site was converted into a house.

She is now looking to invest further in rearing horses, and in her daughter Emily’s future as a potential Olympic event rider.

She has bought land she had rented from the Donkey Sanctuary since 2007 and is looking to develop it for grazing.

The application also states her intentions to create an Olympic-size, all-weather ménage area and a tennis court, as the sport is recommended by the British equestrian team physiotherapist.

Having it on site will save the mother and daughter having to travel to play and allow them to be nearby when the horses need regular health checks.

Mrs King has represented Great Britain at the Olympics six times.

The fate of the applications will be decided by East Devon District Council.