EIGHT neglected horses were saved after they escaped onto the A40 at Hillingdon – and now have a safe and loving home with an animal charity.

Council officers received reports that horses, including two young colts and two horses with club feet, were grazing illegally on council land near Freezeland Way, near the Hillingdon Circus junction.

The animals also escaped onto the A40 and police had to be called to round them up.

Legal notices were served for the horses to be removed from the land within 48 hours.

After this had expired and the horses were still there, the council arranged for them to be looked after. They were inspected by a vet and found to have been neglected.

Jean Palmer, deputy chief executive, said: "Illegal grazing of horses or other animals is a concern because these animals are not being properly cared for and could put themselves and members of the public in danger.”

When the owner eventually came forward to collect his horses, he was told he would first have to ensure the animals all had passports, which is now a legal requirement, and verify his ownership claims, as well as covering the council's costs for looking after the horses during this period.

He did not contact the council again, so officers ensured all the horses were re-homed together at a charity for abandoned horses last week.