MOTORISTS and horse riders were given tips on how to stay safe on the road at an education event held at a Bolton stables.

The Operation Considerate awareness event took place at Ryders Farm Equestrian Centre in Manchester Road, Kearsley.

Officers used a speed gun to monitor passing traffic and selected motorists were spoken to by officers from GMP's road safety unit and two officers from its tactical mounted unit.

Traffic PCSO Gareth Walker said: "It went really well. We stopped 70 vehicles.

"Twenty were for various offences such as bald tyres, not wearing seatbelts and using a mobile phone at the wheel.

"We had one arrest for possession of a controlled drug and one for no insurance.

"One driver got their car taken off them and the passenger was found with a bag of cannabis.

"We also stopped and spoke to a man for giving a V-sign to our speed camera operator."

Officers gave leaflets to the motorists who were pulled over and gave stickers to customers of the centre to put in their car window and on their horsebox, as well as advising riders on how to ride safety on the street.

Mr Walker said: "The key message is: if you're dealing with a horse on the road, slow down to 15mph, be patient, don't sound your horn or rev your engine, pass the horse widely – at least a car's width – and drive away slowly."

Sarah Fitton, owner of Ryders Farm Equestrian Centre, said: "I'm the British Horse Society trainer for the area and I feel we should push the riding and road safety test like we do for cycling proficiency."