A GROUP of angry horse riders claim a new paintballing business is a danger to them and their horses as they enjoy a public bridal path in their village.

The Worcester News reported last Friday how Malvern brothers Tom and Richard Williams had taken over 25 acres of Ockeridge Wood, near Holt Heath, and transformed it into the latest paintball battle ground.

Riders who keep their horses at stables around the village have said they are worried stray ammunition could hit or injure their animals and cause them to bolt, endangering both the horse and rider.

Kathy Keating said she and fellow riders enjoy the popular bridal path most weekends and that they wanted 100 per cent assurance that no one was in any way at risk.

"The sound of ammunition being fired is very disturbing for horses and has already caused one to bolt towards the main road and another horse to be severely startled resulting in the rider falling off.

"We want assurance that walkers, riders and other users of the public path will not be wearing the protective clothing deemed necessary if you are taking part in the games. Our concerns are for the safety of the public using the rights of way rather than an outright objection to the proposal."

But Tom Williams said he and his brother had been down every correct channel to ensure they were doing things right including consulting Malvern District Council, Holt Heath Parish Council, Worcestershire Wildlife Trust and other bodies.

"We have done absolutely everything in our power to get this right. We are not breaking the law.

"We have spent thousands of pounds making the site better, removing old caravans, fly tipping and glass."

Mr Williams said the woods had a shooting licence and was land for commercial use.

"The gun shots are far quieter than the 12-bore shot gun we are allowed to use on the land and we have netting all around the site to prevent people walking into range. There are also signs warning people about the site but, at the most we would shoot for just over three hours once a week, it is not a constant flow of people and continuous firing.

"The only people that we have received complaints from are a group of riders who we prevented from going fox hunting across the land when we took it over because we do not agree with the bloodsport," Mr Williams said.

The application for the site is with planning chiefs at Malvern Hills District Council but Mr Williams added the business was allowed to continue operating until full permission was granted.