A VALE horse owner is warning riders to be extra vigilant after she and her horse narrowly avoided serious injury while out hacking.

Alison Brain was riding her four-year-old gelding Bertie Bumper when they narrowly avoided colliding with a bus on the narrow lanes around Netherton, near Pershore.

"It was really lucky we were both OK as the bus did not slow down," she said.

"I have noticed other motorists have forgotten there could be a horse around the corner. People have got used to not seeing riders out because of the foot and mouth."

The incident happened as she rose out with a friend.

"We had been given the all clear to go out on the roads and I was riding my four-year-old who can be very sharp. I was wearing all the safety gear with a hi-viz tabard etc and we were riding down a narrow lane.

"I heard something very large and fast approaching us so I signalled to ask it to slow down. It was a bus.

"It didn't appear to make any attempt to slow down at all. We were lucky, but I would urge anyone to make sure they have the high visibility gear on.

"It is difficult enough to be seen with all the hedges grown. You often see riders on a dark bay horse riding without any fluorescent gear on and it really is difficult to see them."

She added: "I do really think it is very important to ask drivers to slow down and to ask riders to wear some sort of high visibility gear."

Alison's warning came just as British gas pipeline operator Transco gave a helping hand to cut the number of horse related accidents on Worcestershire's roads by donating 48 flourescent jackets to Worcestershire Bridleways and Riders Association.

Operations manager Ian Cartwright said: "Transco has recently had some corporate changes which meant any work wear carrying the old logo could no longer be used and the flourescent yellow jackets were among these."

Worcestershire Bridleways and Riders Association chairman Cheryl Stead said the clothes would be put to very good use. "There are at least nine accidents a day in the UK involving horses and vehicles," she said.

" It is stating the obvious, but bear in mind horses don't dent, they die." She appealed to motorists to observe the following measures:

l Pass horses wide and slow

lDo not attempt to pass a horse if there is oncoming traffic.

l Keep your distance.

l Never sound your horn, lean out of windows or pass playing loud music.

l In country lanes be aware of what might be around the next bend and be patient.