Horse owners' anger as Wigan shelters used for parties

Horse owners in a Wigan community have blasted yobs who have used and abused their facilities by holding illegal parties.

They said the amount of smashed glass now on the ground means their horses cannot use the field on Hartington Drive in Standish.

The shelters in the field can be used by horses when needed but recently they have been the venues for drinking, and the people using them in breach of Covid-19 restrictions on gatherings, have also dumped litter.

Mess included shattered bottles and the remnants of a fire.

The horse owners, who preferred not to be named and took a video of the mess, said one of the field shelters has been used as a “party spot”, with the problems happening “numerous times”.

They said: “They have left smashed glass, bottles and have had a fire in there.

“The shelters are used for the horses to go in whenever they want but we now can’t use this field due to there being smashed glass.”

The owners hope the publicity will warn people off from doing this and make them realise they should always clear up after themselves.

They added: “We’ve had this happen numerous times now and it means we cannot use the field for the horses.”

Coun Debbie Parkinson, who represents Standish on Wigan Council, said: “There have been a lot of problems with rubbish in Standish recently which have had to be cleaned up.

“I have dealt with four incidents of fly-tipping which I have reported.

“This was mostly not happening before lockdown so why it is now?

“I don’t know, but people need to pick up after themselves.

“People having parties is just irresponsible and in breach of coronavirus restrictions, putting people at risk. This is unacceptable.”