A RISHTON councillor has called on the town’s horse riding community to teach its young riders respect after receiving a barrage of complaints.

Coun Ken Moss said he has been receiving complaints on a daily basis about youngsters using the recreational ground at Harwood Road to exercise their horses.

He appealed for help from locals and pleaded for the riders to respect horse riding etiquette.

He said: “We have had instances where children playing football have been injured on the pitch because it is churned up and dogs have caught their paws in a divot and broken their legs.

“Horse riders have the freedom of the road and there are bridal paths and horse riding areas. The most beautiful countryside is just five minutes away. But they ride on the inner green areas of Rishton and there aren’t that many.”

Coun Moss defended the council’s decision to erect an A frame at the entrance to the footpath connecting St Alban’s Road and Shawbrook Close.

The council shelved original plans a year ago after the horse riding community promised to to ride more sensibly, but that has not happened recently, Coun Moss said. He said that he was ‘adamant’ the frame will now be installed, but he hoped the council would not need to take any more action.

He said: “The horse riding community is trying to keep its own house in order. A safety course for young riders has already been organised.

“It’s far better that the community pulls together than the council streaming in and saying ‘this is what we’re going to do’.”