SUNDAY morning pony and trap races on a busy main road at speeds of up to 30mph brought several 999 calls to police, a court was told yesterday

Officers found a white Ford Transit van travelling in front of two pony and trap combinations racing on the A168 at Walshford, near Wetherby, North Yorkshire, Simon Ostler, prosecuting, told Harrogate magistrates.

People were hanging from the van's open doors, with one using a camcorder to film the race while others watched events unfold.

Officers saw the two animals collide as one lost its footing trying to pass the other at 30mph. "This caused the police further concern because if the horses had fallen in the traffic there could have been even more of a problem," said Mr Ostler.

Police stopped the van and were talking with its driver when the two pony and trap drivers, Kelly Walsh, 22, and Martin Gibbs, 40, returned and denied having been racing.

But police had received several calls to say that a large number of ponies and traps had been taking part in races on February 2, said Mr Ostler.

Gibbs, of Holt Park, Leeds, and Walsh, of Bacup, Lancashire, pleaded guilty by letter to causing obstruction or danger. Each was fined £60 with £45 costs.

Van driver Robert Price, 42, of Esholt Lane Caravan Site, Shipley, West Yorkshire, pleaded guilty by letter to using a van in a manner that caused danger to passengers and other road users. His case was adjourned until July 8.