HORSE riders from Shavington took to the roads to promote a campaign asking motorists to be more considerate.

The group are concerned that riding is becoming less safe due to increased traffic and drivers who don't know how to approach horses.

The riders and a carriage were joined by a PCSO from Cheshire Rural Crime Police to spread the "Pass Wide and Slow" message locally.

The campaign aims to reduce the number of accidents involving horses by informing drivers of the danger that frightened horses can pose to vehicles.

Eleven riders were killed and 116 seriously injured across the UK last year as a result of collisions with vehicles.

There are fears that that figure could rise as housing developments grow in areas such as Shavington, potentially adding hundreds of commuting drivers to rural roads.

One of the riders, who joined in the campaign last Sunday, said: "Although a lot of drivers are considerate and pass us with caution, there are always those unwilling to slow down.

"We have had more than one incident of drivers sounding their horn when asked to slow down and driving past at speed. I am now very cautious of taking our nine-year-old son out hacking which is sad as it gets him out and about and builds his confidence."

The rider explained that road users need to know how unpredictable horses can be.

"Riders never have full control of the animals. Horses can be spooked by as little as a change in the colour of tarmac on the road," she added.

There were around 180 rides around the country as part of the Pass Wide and Slow Campaign last weekend.

The horse riders are calling for motorists to slow down to at least 15mph and pass as wide as is possible where it is safe to do so (two metres or more is the ideal passing distance).