A WOMAN who suffered a 'life-changing' injury after her horse was spooked by motorbike riders has said there will be a "fatality" in Slaley.

It comes after local reports of motorised vehicles being used - often illegally - in the forest and surrounding areas.

The horserider, who did not want to be named, had to have a reverse shoulder replacement.

"We've never experienced what we did that day; we've ridden for 40 years in the wood", she said.

"It's disrespectful people who think it's their right, and they're prepared to take risks - that's part of their game. It's a playground.

"There is room for everybody but not people who are dangerous. It's so sad for Slaley, it was the most lovely place to be.

"There will be a fatality. We’ve got grandchildren on ponies now, we can’t go at a weekend into the wood. People aren’t walking with their dogs because people have been intimidated.

"They're ruining the wood. I don't think the ecology will recover for a long time - even if they stop."

The woman said there are signs on some tracks warning motor vehicles can only be used at certain times of the year.

The vice chair of Slaley Parish Council, Cllr John Story, also told the Courant how people are now "frightened" to go to the forest.

He explained: “There are problems from umpteen different areas being caused – the destruction of the highway, damage done to the other tracks, damage to the environment and SSIs.

“People are being intimidated and frightened to go. It’s a public area – nobody should feel like that. We can’t have that situation, it’s not fair and it’s not right.

“The more of this traffic there is around, the increase in disrespect to other people using the forest – pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders – there have been numerous incidents of intimidation from the motorised transport users or threats of violence.

"An increasing and very worrying number of reports we're getting are from females to the point where it's increasingly noticeable that there are fewer females using the forest.

“There are people who use the vehicles and act very responsibly, they want to go and enjoy it, but it’s like everything else in life, you’ve got a small but sadly, in modern society, an increasing number of people who want to go out and do their own thing.

“Ultimately, it’ll come to the point where the forest is closed. And the people who do behave themselves won’t be allowed to go, why should their pleasure be spoilt?”

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “We are committed to ensuring people can enjoy our countryside and rural areas.

“During August and September, we received one report of a public order offence involving an off-road vehicle.

“We will continue to work with our partners to tackle this type of disorder and target those who commit offences."

Forestry England was contacted for a comment.