A BREAM horse-owner and her daughter are desperate to stop mischief-makers letting their horses out onto a busy road where they could put lives at risk.

"I really can't believe anyone could be so irresponsible," said Anne-Marie Collier, who owns three ponies kept by her and her daughter Jessica, 17, in a paddock by the old chicken farm on the Lydney-Coleford road.

The latest incident was on Saturday when the two were called to rescue their animals which were running free after somebody deliberately removed a locked padlock and took the gate completely off its hinges.

"What sort of person would allow horses to roam free on a road? Thanks to a kind person they were safely put back but somebody could have been hurt or killed – it's a very busy road."

She said so far this year her horses had strayed a couple of times after the gate had been left open and again after fencing had been broken-down to let them out.

Only in September Jessica, who is a sidesaddle show rider, had been unable to give a demonstration in Wales because they were called back to rescue a horse that had been left behind.

The police are investigating and would like anyone who can give information to contact them.