A rider is in a critical condition in hospital after falling off her bolting horse.

The 28-year-old woman from Eastbourne was riding in Under Road, Magham Down, just before 6pm yesterday when the animal became startled and started galloping at speed.

The rider was airlifted to the Royal London Hospital with serious head injuries.

PC Dan Schiraldi from the Sussex road policing unit said: "This is a very unfortunate incident and our thoughts are with the injured woman, who remains in a critical condition in hospital.

“It is still not clear why the horse became startled and we are appealing to anyone who saw the rider and horse in the area prior to the incident to call us.”