MORE than 20 horses have been rounded up following complaints of the animals running loose in east Durham.

Ian Hoult, Durham County Council’s neighbourhood protection manager, said: “We have responded with our partners including Durham Constabulary to a number of reports of loose horses in the Wheatley Hill and Thornley areas.

“Some of these horses have been on roads which has serious safety implications for the horses themselves as well as for motorists and cyclists.

“Our teams have been out on several occasions and removed 22 horses.”

He added: “We are currently making inquiries to trace the owners of these animals and would invite them to contact us make arrangements to recover them.

“Equally we would appeal to anyone with information on the ownership of the horses to contact us.

“We would also urge anyone with horses to ensure they are properly looked after – fed, watered and kept in a secure location.”

Anyone who would like to claim ownership of any of the horses should contact 03000-261-000.