DUDLEY’S environment boss attempted to quell growing concern among residents about stray horses roaming the streets of Pensnett at a meeting last night (Thursday February 3).

John Millar, director of Dudley Council’s urban environment, told frustrated residents who had flocked to the Brierley Hill Area Committee meeting that he hopes over the coming weeks to try to reach a solution to the problem.

Residents at the meeting, held at The Brier School, Kingswinford, told him the number of horses seen roaming in the area had shot up from just one or two to a “herd”.

Tom Jones of Elgar Crescent, Pensnett, said: “There were seven horses up Elgar Crescent this time, that’s a herd as far as I’m concerned - they were all chewing up the grass and walking all over what’s left of our plants. It’s blighting so many people round here.”

Mr Millar told the meeting he was aware there had been an “influx” of horses in the area but there was no easy fix.

However he said he would endeavor to work with council officers, the police and the RSPCA to try and resolve the problem, as well as discussing the matter with horse owners in the community.

And he added: “Hopefully in the coming weeks we’ll be able to make some progress by all working together.

“My over riding concern is to improve the situation through co-operation rather than confrontation.”