OFFICERS at Wear Valley District Council are to meet with their county council colleagues next week to try to solve the area's stray horse problem.

The horses which roam around housing and industrial estates in County Durham have caused a headache for the councils and police for years.

Residents have repeatedly called for action to tackle the problem, before a youngster or motorist is killed.

The plea was renewed yesterday when six horses were spotted wandering around the Leazes Lane estate, in St Helen Auckland.

Local councillor Sonny Douthwaite said: "I was driving along and these horses came tearing around the corner, kicking their heels up.

"It has been a problem for years, but just lately it seems to be on the increase again. They run around all over the place. Something needs to be done to stop it."

Darlington Police warned owners in August that if they were caught they could face prosecution for failing to tether the animals, and allowing them to wander on to the highway.

Eddie Scrivins, director of finance at Wear Valley, said yesterday: "It is the cause of considerable concern in certain areas.

"It's very difficult to solve. We have meetings arranged next week with the county council to try to find some solution to the problem.

"The type of measures we'll be looking at will be the collection and disposal of the animals if they are not claimed. It is very expensive, but we hope to alleviate it eventually.