A HORSE has died after being hit by a car outside a popular country park.

Police were called to Hall Lane, Farnworth, outside Moses Gate Country Park at 3.45am this morning.

They cordoned off the road to deal with the incident, which happened after two horses —believed to be a mare and a filly foal — trotted into the road after escaping from a nearby field.

The horse’s injuries were so serious that it had to be put down. The other animal was unharmed.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: “Two horses walked into road from nearby field and were knocked over by a car.

“One of the horses has been put down and the other one is okay.”

He added that the driver was not injured and that roads were opened a short time later.

The Bolton News reported recently how a foal had to be rescued from the Radcliffe canal after wandering off.

Former Little Lever councillor Sean Hornby said: “It does not surprise me.

“This is the third incident of horses escaping in recent weeks.

“Something needs to be done.

“One turned up in Lincoln Avenue.

“It is very sad that the horse has died but owners have to ensure their horses are secure in the fields.”

Following the incident, calls were made on social networking site Facebook for action to be taken against “fly grazing”, where ponies are left to graze on embankments and verges.

One person wrote on the Little Lever Facebook page: “Fly grazing, these horses have been wondering for weeks inevitable something was going to happen.”

Another added: “Poor horse, not surprised though - I've seen them wandering numerous times.

“And yes I have stopped my vehicle and walked them back to safety.

“Saw the horse and foal wandering around Moses gate traffic lights on Monday.

“At around 2.30pm busy traffic. Something needs to be done feel sorry for the driver and horse,” was also posted.