POLICE in Darlington have issued an alert over stray horses being kept on wasteland in the town.

They fear that a motorist or bike rider could be killed or seriously injured in a collision with one of the animal, believed to belong to gipsies.

Inspector Sue Collingwood, of Darlington Police, said that several incidents of wandering horses in the Hundens Lane and Yarm Road areas of town had been reported recently.

She said: "We can report and prosecute the owners, if we find them, for failing to tether animals, and allowing them to stray on to the highway.

"We are working with the local council to take positive action against this problem.

"In the meantime, letting such animals wander free is a recipe for disaster, and it is only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured.