HORSE riders are taking to the saddle next month - to support a campaign to reduce the number of accidents involving horse and riders on the roads.

Motorists will be stopped and given leaflets as 20 horse riders cover a five-and-a-half mile round trip through Aston-by-Budworth, Great Budworth and Comberbach, on Saturday October 13.

"Our aim is to promote awareness and to work with motorists to try to reduce the number of accidents and make the roads safer," said organiser Jackie Berry, of Arley Moss Farm.

"To be fair, the awareness is not just for the road users, it is for riders as well who don't know how to respond when drivers slow down, or don't wear the correct clothing."

More than 3,000 road accidents involving horses are reported each year and there are more than eight horse-related accidents a day. Six riders up to June this year alone have already been killed.

Drivers should:

Pass wide and slow - 15mph is the recommended speed

Keep your distance

Don't make sudden or loud noises

Expect to see a horse and rider around the next bend

Respect rider's signals

Riders should:

Be courteous

Be aware of everything going on around you

Use signals to communicate your intentions and wishes to oncoming drivers

Be visible and wear reflective clothing

Don't take risks.

Jackie added: "We want motorists to be aware that around every corner there could be a horse.

"If we manage to make just one motorist more aware then we have done our job.

"I'm a horse rider and I feel very strongly about this."