DEMONSTRATORS called for stricter regulations to protect Blackpool promenade's famous landau horses at a protest outside the town hall on Tuesday (June 15).

North West Animal Welfare organised the event to issue a petition containing more than 12,000 signatures to local Tory party leader, Councillor Peter Callow.

The welfare group ultimately wants the horses removed from the promenade, particularly on Friday nights during the illuminations season.

Despite a 1997 council survey's findings, that Friday nights were busier that Saturday nights, plans to have the horses removed on those evenings were abandoned following protests from landau horse owners of insufficient notice.

The group says that despite adequate notice, the council has still failed to act on their request.

A spokesman said: "We strongly believe that the promenade is no place for these creatures and that constant noise, concrete, traffic hazards and exhaust fumes make their presence entirely inappropriate and constitutes an abuse.

"The increased risks presented by greater numbers of people, many of whom will have been drinking, make Friday night an unacceptable time for horses to be present on the promenade.

"The council has already identified that and their failure to protect the horses cannot be blamed on ignorance, only a cynical decision to take the path of least resistance, and one which they hope will not present a risk to the popularity of individual councillors."

Cllr Callow added: "The issue was raised by the Citizen last year and being quoted in the article led to me being approached by the Welfare group asking me to accept their petition.

"I was extremely happy to do so as it is something I personally feel strongly about and I am very concerned about the well-being of these horses.

"Horse drawn vehicles and motor vehicles just don't mix and hopefully over a period of time the landaus will be phased out all together."

Mr Callow presented the signed petition to the chairman of the Highways and Transport Committee at their five o'clock meeting following the demonstration.

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