A horse left to graze in a woodland area near an electricity substation has disappeared.

The brown and white animal was roaming among “Danger of Death” signs on land owned by the national grid near Hillfield Lane.

A sign advising the horse's owners to move it by 5pm yesterday evening was put up near the site.

It stated that unless action was taken then national grid would arrange to have the horse taken away.

Sara Wilcox, spokeswoman for National Grid, said: “The horse had been left in the field but now appears to have been moved.

“The horse was left without permission and needed to be moved so that we could start surveys for forthcoming cable works.

“We tried to locate the owner of the horse but without success so we put signs in the field asking the owner to move the horse.”

The sign also stated that expenses incurred as a result of moving the horse would be the liability of the owner of the horse, which would be sold to recover the outlay.

Sophie Wilkinson, from the RSPCA, said: “Unfortunately unless the horse is suffering or at risk of suffering there's not a lot we can do from a legal point of view.

“Horses tethered in unusual or dangerous places are a countrywide problem. We're concerned for the welfare of these animals; people need to take responsibility for them and ensure they have food and shelter.”

Ms Wilcox added: “We would politely ask people not to graze livestock on National Grid land without permission as this is private land that may, as in this case, be needed for operational purposes.”