Four people needed hospital treatment after a horse went on the rampage at a village fair.

The animal, which was pulling a trap, bolted through the busy market place in Wolsingham, on Friday night.

The streets were packed with families enjoying the funfair when a horse being led along the road was apparently disturbed by activity in the village.

Its owner then lost control and it bolted away and careered into the temporary fairground - sending barriers flying and crashing into children's rides.

One onlooker said: "When the horse got spooked it just went wild, it looked frightened by all the noise and rides.

"People tried to get out of the way but it happened too quickly and a few people were knocked over or kicked.

"It is amazing really that no one was killed or that a child wasn't badly injured.

The horse galloped down the A689 about half a mile to Scotch Isle Park, the venue for the Dales' biggest annual show which was held at the weekend.

The casualties were taken to the University Hospital of North Durham and treated for minor injuries.

Sgt Frank Hewison said that nobody was seriously hurt and that the horse owner was spoken to but not charged with any offence.