VANDALS are threatening the safety of riders and walkers 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 speeding cyclists each week on the pathway where the signs have disappeared.

The signs, asking cyclists to give way to walkers and horse riders, were put up by Redcar and Cleveland Council between Saltburn Riding Centre and the railway lines.

Ms Perkins said: "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."

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.

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

Councillor Graham Jeffreys, Redcar and Cleveland Council's lead member for rural affairs, plans to investigate the incident.

He said: "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 and educate people as much as we can - that is important for everyone."

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