Action has been taken on unauthorised horse grazing in woodland after a rambler was head-butted by a horse.

Ashford Community Woodland , just behind the Singleton Environment Centre, is regularly used by members of the East Kent Walking Group which walks up to 15 miles on a Sunday morning.

But after an incident in June when a member was head-butted and knocked to the ground by a horse, Ashford council and the police ensured the horses were removed and now continue to monitor the site.

Head of Cultural Services at Ashford council Mark Carty said: "Horses have periodically been tethered on the Ashford Community Woodland site and environs for some years and although grazing is unauthorised it has been ‘managed’ to minimise negative impacts on the woodland and inconvenience to the public.

"This is the first time that such an incident has occurred. The local Community Safety Unit was informed and were assisted by Kent Police to identify the owner and have the horse, and its foal, removed."

The council’s gypsy liaison officer is also keeping an eye on the woodland, which is near to the Chilmington gypsy site, to ensure that no further unauthorised grazing is carried out.