A WOMAN is fighting for her life after the car she was travelling in collided with a loose horse near Bishop Auckland on Sunday.

The 23-year-old, from Woodham, is being treated for multiple injuries in the intensive care unit at Newcastle General Hospital where her condition is said to be critical but stable.

Her boyfriend, a 21-year-old Newton Aycliffe man, was driving the car at the time of the accident. He was treated at Bishop Auckland General Hospital for shock and minor injuries and released the same night.

The couple had been travelling across the A68 Newton Cap Viaduct towards Crook at around 8.45pm when the car collided with a horse, believed to have strayed onto the road from nearby playing fields.

Police have so far been unable to trace the owner of the horse, which was killed instantly.

The tragedy raises concerns about the issue of horses left running wild or tethered alongside roads throughout south Durham.

A county council spokesperson said: "We would urge horse owners to take responsibility for their animals and ensure that they cannot escape onto roads.

"Regrettably this incident shows the dangers associated with irresponsible management of their horses."