Stray horses roaming in Tipton park

Stray horses were today spotted roaming in a Tipton park, as Sandwell Council struggles to crack down on the problem.

The animals were spotted in Jubilee Park at about 9am.

Sandwell Council has been trying to crack down on the number of stray horses with bailiffs removing them from public land.

Conservative councillor Beatrice Owen, who spotted the five horses in Jubilee Park today, said: "I'm disgusted.

"Tethered horses are being taken from Princes End and yet it is the roaming ones causing the problems. They are in a confined space and should be collected no problem."

The council says it is cracking down on the horses because of public safety concerns but horse owners say they are part of a Black Country tradition.

Councillor Derek Rowley, Sandwell's cabinet member for safer neighbourhoods said: "Horses like this are tricky because they keep moving. We are still working with the bailiffs to try and combat this problem."