A HIT and run driver is being sought by police after he ran into a teenage girl riding her horse in Belthorn Road, Guide.

Thirteen-year-old Charlotte Lambert and the horse were left with badly bruised legs after the accident on Friday evening.

Susanna Bolton, whose daughter Sue-Helen, 16, was with the injured girl, says the incident is one of a growing number in the area.

She said: "Last year, my daughter's pony was killed and the rider suffered two broken legs after an accident when a car collided with them.

"That driver was charged with dangerous driving. With this latest incident, it's getting to the stage where I don't know if they are going to come back when they go out riding."

Charlotte, of Haslingden Road, Guide, was injured as she tried to move her horse out of the way of on-coming traffic. Her mother, Angela, said: "Charlotte and the horse are very sore; they have both had to have cold compresses on their legs.

"I'm worried about letting her go riding in the village now. I think I'm going to have to go with them from now on."

Police are searching for the driver of the blue and grey Rover 416, which struck the horse.

Inspector Richard Cox of Blackburn police said: "We would appeal for any one who witnessed the accident to come forward."

Blackburn police can be contacted on 01254 51212.

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