A RUNAWAY horse caused mayhem when it galloped down busy Angouleme Way in Bury.

Traffic was forced to slow down to avoid hitting the distressed animal, which had earlier escaped from a farm near the town's Pimhole Road.

On Wednesday (May 2), police received a number of reports from worried members of the public as the animal, still with its horse blanket on, was spotted in various areas in and around the town centre.

The chestnut gelding, which had sustained injuries to its face and leg, was eventually cornered at the rear of the Bury Times building by PC John Andrew and passers-by.

A rope was slung around its neck to stop the horse bolting again and it was fed biscuits and water.

PC Andrew said: "I think the horse's injuries were probably caused when it caught itself on the barbed wire fence at the farm.

"It galloped up Rochdale Road and then turned into Angouleme Way and ran right down the middle of the road."

PC Andrew summoned officers from the police's own mounted section. But before they got there, the horse's owner arrived and the runaway animal was later returned to its field.

In a separate incident, hours later, a white horse was seen on the loose in Bolton Road, Bury. The animal was bleeding from a leg injury after apparently being struck by a vehicle. It was later rounded up and a vet was called.