A Bradford primary school is appealing for help to remove a group of loose horses which have caused disruption at various times over the last 18 months.

Newhall Park Primary School in Bierley says it has experienced a series of problems with stray horses wandering loose in one of the school playing fields.

Staff at the school are growing concerned for the health and safety of their pupils after only this week two horses were found roaming in the car park and in areas where children walk into the grounds.

Head teacher Pauline Whyte said: “We are becoming increasingly concerned about the growing number of horses that are on our bottom playing field. We can’t seem to get any response from anyone to move them.

“It is a health and safety issue. They are disruptive to the school and the local community who use our sports field on a weekend, which at the moment is out of action.

“It is not a new problem. It has been going on for some time but now it is a big concern. It is starting to affect school and community life.”

Mrs Whyte told the T&A that, in the wet weather, the horse’s hooves have caused holes in the grass, making it too dangerous for sports to take place.

Sharon Barker, parental involvement officer at the school, said: “We have contacted the police and the horses are moved but then they are brought back again.

“The horses have been leaving waste on the sports pitch. We have to pay to have them moved and we shouldn’t have to spend the school’s money on having them moved. We just want them moved by the council or somebody needs to take them. They are not being looked after properly.”

A spokesman for Bradford Council said: “We haven’t been involved in this particular situation and as far as we are aware the PCSO officer has dealt with it and has contacted the owners.”