HIGHWAYS officials have been praised for their efforts to make routes safer for horseriders.

The British Horse Society (BHS) presented its Access Week Good Guys Award to Durham County Council.

The presentation was made to highways committee chairman Councillor Harold Douthwaite by BHS Durham chairwoman Marianne Watts.

The county council has completed a comprehensive scheme that involved the introduction of signs warning motorists to be aware of horses and riders.

Over 50 signs have been installed by the council's Service Direct team at 25 locations, including near riding schools and at crossing points where off-road tracks meet roads.

The scheme was funded through the county council's Local Transport Plan and developed in conjunction with Barbara Crozier, the BHS's representative on the Local Transport Plan Partnership Forum.

Ms Watts said: "The initial responses from our members to the horse warning signs has been very favourable.

"As a rider myself I believe the scheme will make a difference to the safety of horseriders using the public highway."