COUNCIL staff thought they'd found a great way of keeping the grass neat on a Mirfield recreation ground.

But their novel idea has been given short shrift by local councillors and residents.

So now the four-legged mowing machine - a horse - has been ordered to stay in its own field.

Leisure services staff faced the problem in cutting grass on parts of the Crossley recreation ground because of access.

So they asked local people grazing horses in a nearby field to let them wander on the playing fields.

But the idea was not welcomed by local people, who feared the play area would become a bridleway, posing health and safety risks for children.

Clr Kath Taylor said: "I could not believe my eyes when I saw the horses being walked on the recreation ground.

"I am glad we have managed to get this scheme stopped.

"I fear we are losing more and more fields and footpaths where families can enjoy walking and playing safely."