Image shows how close driver came to hitting escaped horse

THIS picture shows how close drivers have come to colliding with horses that have escaped on to the A38 near Derby.

Police have received numerous calls about horses breaking loose on to Little Eaton Island over the last few weeks.

On Sunday, horses got out of their field and galloped on to the A38 near the busy roundabout.

The next day they escaped on to the same island and caused traffic chaos for early morning commuters.

The incident lasted several hours until a team finally managed to walk them back into their field through a hole in a gate.

It was not the first time this year that straying horses have caused problems on the A38. On Easter Sunday, traffic was held in both directions for 30 minutes as police and members of the public attempted to guide the horses out of the road.

Reader have said the horse chaos has gone on for too long - but feel sorry for the animals.

On our Facebook page Kerry Lowes said: “Hundreds of Derby commuters have reported the state of these animals. What more do we have to do?

“They have no supplementary feed or shelter and live in an over grazed, flooded field. Of course they want to get out to get some food and shelter. Shame on those who allow this to happen. There will be a fatal accident soon.”

Sara Meynell said: “This has got to stop! People have been saying this for years and years and years and nobody with any power does anything about these poor animals! As a 12-year-old, I can remember driving past them and that’s a long long time ago!

Tracey Dunwoodie said: “Every single year the field floods or these poor animals escape.”

Chris Hunt said: “These poor creatures, as if their lives are not miserable enough now they are being put in danger, too.”

Lorraine Wylie said: “Disgusting! How often does this have to be reported before something is done about it?!”

Heather Sinclair also had her say. “When a horse hasn’t got enough grass/forage to eat in its field, they go into a hunt/ survival of the fittest mode...if you put them back where the problem lies they will just keep on breaking out.

“Especially now they know how to get out and that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence.

“They need to go in a new field with plenty of grass and a fresh water source in it... they clearly aren’t happy where they are!”

Debbie Seeley said: “Breaks your heart to see this.”

The Derby Telegraph is currently trying to track down the owners.