Horse riders embarked on a trek with a difference today as they drove home an important message.
Pass Wide and Slow is an international movement which encourages drivers to give horses and riders a wide berth, as well as to slow down.
Today, September 14, hoses were ridden through Chew Moor village to raise awareness of the campaign.
Around 13 horses trekked from Seddon Fold Farm on Lock Lane to the Duke of Wellington pub, accompanied by walkers with banners.
Debbie Barry, who is of Pass Wide and Slow Lostock, said: "It went really well, it was a brilliant turnout for horses and walkers.
"We're hoping to do another one in April to keep the momentum going.
"We did cause a few queues, but looking at their faces, it seems most people understood and recognised why we were doing it.
"We will also be putting banners up in the village to remind people.
"It is a massive safety concern. These are live animals, and they are prey animals that scare easily, and they tend to react.
She added: "It is really important that people understand they are not machines, they do react.
"But if people give them the space then it makes things easier."
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The group recommends that when passing by horses, drivers should reduce their speed to around 10mph and leave at least two metres of space.
They say that horses can be easily startled so giving them plenty of room and approaching calmly ensures both the horse and rider remain safe.
The Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Andy Morgan, accompanied the walk on foot.
He said: "It is quite nervy, you don't realise unless walking in the road how close vehicles get. "The horses can get very tetchy.
"It is not every day that you get 12 or 13 riders, either.
"It is an international event as well today, there are people doing the same thing in New Zealand and all over the UK.
"It is not to inconvenience anybody and we appreciate people being safe. The message is simple: pass wide and pass slowly."
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