GROVELY Riding School in Wilton is asking local people to be vigilant, after five horses were deliberately set free.

This is the fourth time in recent weeks that vandals have released horses from the riding school or nearby fields, and staff are becoming increasingly concerned.

Just three weeks ago, fencing between two fields was taken down and several horses moved to a different grazing paddock.

On another occasion, a gate was unlocked and 19 horses were allowed to escape.

Gerry Dunne, who owns the riding school, said: "We were petrified that the horses would get on to the A30 that time, but luckily, a friend saw them passing her house and we were able to get them back before they got that far.

"The possible consequences don't even

bear thinking about."

Of the five horses released into the school yard last weekend, one was receiving special treatment and needed to be kept indoors and another was a £20,000 show pony.