The problem of stray horses roaming on a golf course has raised new fears since the outbreak of foot-and-mouth.

Derek Johnson, general manager of Calverley Golf Club in Pudsey, has had to put up with the horses from nearby housing estates trampling on the course regularly. But now he is concerned there could be a risk of spreading foot-and-mouth if they are not kept under control.

He said: "We have got about 20 or so horses roaming or being pushed on to our land and they are causing us a big problem.

"We have lush grass here at the moment, which is why they are coming here, but they are causing a mess on the grounds and the fairway.

"But no-one will take responsibility. What about all the foot-and-mouth? What gives their owners the right to do this when farmers can't move cattle around because of the restrictions?"

A spokesman for the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAFF) said that although horses could not catch the disease they could spread the infection if infected material from another animal was carried on their hooves or other parts of their body.

General advice to horse owners says they should avoid riding on farmland with livestock, and respect notices. Riders should also disinfect their feet and their horses feet before and after riding.

He added there was nothing MAFF could do about the horses at the golf club because guidelines only covered horses going to and from farms or riding stables.

But Mr Johnson, who has worked at the club for 13 years, said there were farms nearby. He told the Telegraph & Argus that the problem with the horses had been going on for many years and had cost the club more than £75,000 in repair bills to tees, fairways and the green since he'd been there.

Mr Johnson said: "We try to take the horses off but they keep coming back."

Police are unable to act as they say it is a civil offence.

A Bradford Council spokesperson said: "We sympathise with the golf club's situation but this is a civil matter between Calverley Golf Club and the owner of the horses. Last year, as a one-off gesture the Council's Animal Warden Service, in liaison with the police and a number of Council departments, seized six horses which had been causing damage to the golf course. However, as we explained at the time, because the land is private any further action would have to be taken by the golf course itself."