Horse and pony riders are posing a serious danger to children in the Greenleas recreation ground in Hangleton, Hove.

Greenleas has a playground (which, incidentally, is badly in need of updating) and two football pitches which are well used by local people.

However, their enjoyment is being ruined by the growing band of equestrians who are using Greenleas as a training ground.

Last week, they created a mud track right across the senior football pitch (after heavy rain) and others have used the children's play equipment for makeshift jumps, as if they were at Hickstead.

Following my representations, council officers have put up two small notices saying that horse riding and golf are not allowed on the recreation ground.

If the riders take no notice of these, it is only a matter of time before a child gets seriously injured by a bolting horse or something similar.

Please take your animals on to the wide, open downland where you will have more freedom and won't be putting legitimate park users at risk.

-Councillor Peter Willows (Conservative) Hangleton and Knoll Ward, Brighton and Hove City Council