Horse riders have united in a campaign to force a speed reduction on a perilous country lane.

Their call for action comes after Rebecca Howse and her shire horse, Gypsy, were knocked to the ground by a car on Marshfield Lane in Upton Cheyney, near Bitton.

Mrs Howse, 42, is suffering from post-traumatic stress following the November 20 incident, which left her badly bruised and Gypsy with injured hindquarters.

Mrs Howse says fellow riders are too terrified to risk hacking out along the narrow lane unless the 60mph speed limit is cut to 30mph.

She said: "Gypsy is still really shaken up and won't let anyone ride her, and I am still very panicky about riding.

"The accident happened in the afternoon about 75 yards from my stable and I was wearing my fluorescent gear.

"I could hear the car coming, I turned my head and saw it approaching too fast and thought it would slow down, but then it hit us.

"She is a cob-shire cross so she is very big and she just toppled on to the car, hitting the windscreen. I hit the ground and was out for a few seconds."

When Mrs Howse came round, one of the passengers in the car had managed to re-capture Gypsy, who had bolted, and as she dragged herself out of the road the police and ambulance were called.

Now she is joining forces with other riders in the area to mount a petition calling for the council to cut the speed limit.

"A limit of 30mph is too much for that road, let alone 60mph and I think drivers need to be warned they may encounter horses in the lane," she said. "A friend of mine was knocked off her horse three weeks ago and there was another crash in the lane with two cars a fortnight ago.

"Gypsy and I could easily have been killed."

Mrs Howse has written to South Gloucestershire Council calling for a speed reduction on the road.

She reported the matter to the police but says her accident has not been taken seriously.

She said: "I feel the driver who hit me needs to be investigated for dangerous driving but the officer who attended hasn't even taken a statement from me yet and it happened over a month ago."

A spokeswoman for South Gloucestershire Council confirmed it had been contacted by Mrs Howse and its records showed two accidents resulting in injuries on Marshfield Lane in the past two years. She said: "The issues raised will be fully investigated and Ms Howse will be contacted in due course."

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset police said: "The investigation is ongoing and it would be inappropriate to comment further until it has concluded.

"Officers in Staple Hill police station are aware of Mrs Howse's concerns and are speaking directly with her to address these."

They urged any witnesses to contact Staple Hill police station on 0845 456 7000.