CONCERNS about the welfare of horses in a field outside a County Durham village have been met by reassurance from an animal charity.

Several residents in the Trimdon Grange area said they contacted the RSPCA to raise fears that horses had been “neglected” in a field alongside the B1278, to the north of the village.

However, a spokesperson for the RSPCA confirmed the owner had recently died and the organisation was now working with a new owner to resolve welfare issues.

The RSPCA spokesperson said: “The man who owns the horses has recently passed away.

“A new owner has been found for them and they are working with the RSPCA to ensure any welfare issues are resolved.”

Earlier this month the national charity became involved in the matter following reports from members of the public who spotted a dead horse in a wooded area of the field.

Residents at the time described their “distress” at the sight of the dead horse and raised fears about the health of the other horses.