A COUNCIL is to take a tough line on the increasing problem of stray horses.

Darlington Borough Council says it will impound any horses found straying or tethered on its land without permission.

Owners will be required to pay £150 to cover the council's costs in looking after the animal.

In Darlington alone, scores of incidents involving wandering horses and ponies have been reported to police this year.

Two neighbouring councils, Durham County and Wear Valley District, have already been in talks in an attempt to find a solution to the problem in their areas.

A Darlington council spokesman said it would use a specialist horse collection service, used by the police, to round up stray horses.

He said: "Stray horses can cause damage to people's gardens, as well as present a danger to motorists if they run on to the roads.

"Once a horse has been impounded, it will not be released to its owner until a fee of £150 to cover the council's costs, including stabling costs, is paid.

"Each horse will also have a veterinary inspection and the costs of this will also have to be met by the owner." The spokesman said that owners would have 31 days to reclaim their horse and would have to show proof of identity.

Inspector Ian Coates, of Darlington police, said he could not comment on the authority's new policy, but added that stray horses were a major issue.

He said: "Our problem is that officers are not trained to round up horses and when they have to do so it can take up a lot of resources.

"Public safety is always the main concern, as well as the safety of the animals themselves, and the possibility of damage to property."

Insp Coates said that while police would continue to deal with stray animals if they were on the road or causing a hazard, it was a matter for individuals on private land