HORSE riders are campaigning for safer on-road riding by urging council bosses to provide more safe routes for them to use.

They are also aiming to increase awareness of the dangers for horse riders among motorists amd themselves.

Members of the Smithills and District Bridleways Association (SDBA) have been campaigning for the last six months to create a safer riding environment, particularly for young and inexperienced riders.

It is estimated that there are about 3,000 accidents a year in the UK involving horses or their riders, and cars. Thirty-three per cent of related accidents are horses being hit from behind. On average five riders die each year.

Horses and their riders are allowed to walk on specially signposted bridleways, but are not allowed to travel on public footpaths, which, according to riders, means they have to take long detours along busy main roads, putting themselves and their animals in danger.

The association aims to preserve existing bridleways and to try to have extra footpaths up-graded to bridleways.

Vice chairman of the SDBA, Bob Abbot said: "Horse riding is a growing past-time and we are trying to increase the number of places where we can ride off road. We have written to the council about the need for more paths and are working with rangers at Smithills Hall to try to regrade existing footpaths."