A HORSERIDER risked his own safety to save seven horses from a flooded field as rain battered Gwent this week.

These pictures show Andrew Williams from Usk rescuing the horses from a field near the stables he uses, between Gwehelog and Usk on Tuesday.

Four of the horses were pregnant mares and Kevin Lanigan, fellow horse owner and eyewitness, described to the Argus how Mr Williams took it upon himself to drive the horses to safety.

The water in the field was already around 4ft deep and rising, as a brook burst its bank and the low-lying field filled up with run-off from a nearby road.

Deciding the horses were in danger as the floodwaters rose, Mr Williams saddled up and rode into the field, first trying to lead the horses to safety, then when that failed, shepherding them towards the exit.

The main risks came from the ditches at the edges of the fields and the risks that the horses would panic and charge him down.

Mr Lanigan said: "Andrew was extremely brave and this was probably a last resort to take.

"He risked his own safety to take the horses away from the area of flooding and now they all seem to be in good health."