VANDALS are threatening the safety of horse riders in rural East Cleveland.

Safety signs on an off-road route shared by horse riders, ramblers and cyclists between Saltburn and Marske have been removed.

There are an estimated 500 horses being ridden in the Redcar and Saltburn area, so the need for safer routes and access to off road riding is a big issue, said Susan Perkins of the Saltburn and District Bridleways Group.

On average there are two near misses between riders and fast pedalling cyclists each week on the pathway where the signs have disappeared.

The signs, asking cyclists to give way to walkers and horse riders, were erected by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council between Saltburn Riding Centre and the railway lines. Of their removal, Susan Perkins claimed: "There is possibly more to this than meets the eye. It certainly would not be horse riders who took the signs down. We have done everything legitimately and gone through the right channels and someone takes it into their head to destroy the signs."

Pam Watson, another member of the bridleways group, said the shared path was narrow and it was in everyone's interests that the give-way signs remained in place.

Mrs Watson said: "There is room for everyone in this world; but this is an act of vandalism."

Coun Graham Jeffreys, lead member for rural affairs, plans to look into the removal of the signs. He said: "I am totally against vandalism. I believe all users should be able to enjoy this path."

Neil Craggs, a founder member of the Cleveland Mountain Bike Club said: "It would be highly unlikely that any responsible cyclist would remove the signs. I don't think there is really anyone who would do such a thing.

"But you always get a small element in any interest who wants the whole thing to themselves. It comes down to education and we try to educate people as much as we can; that is important for everyone."

Mr Craggs said signs marking out cycle routes through Guisborough Forest were always being demolished.