Miles of bridleway running through some of Pembrokeshire's most secluded countryside will provide a safe, off-road route for horse riders.

Thanks to a project led by the National Trust, in partnership with the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, access for horses and riders has been created on the Colby Estate near Llanteg.

The trust provided the location and the labour to establish five miles of bridleway and the park authority paid for the gates and signage.

The project, initiated four years ago, involved local riders including Sue Enfield, chairman of the British Horse Society's south west region.

"This is a wonderful place to ride and we are very grateful to the National Trust for making it possible,'' she said.

The availability of off-road routes for horses is essential, she said.

"The ever increasing volume and speed of traffic have made roads very dangerous places to ride,'' said Sue.

"Most drivers are aware of horses but a horse only needs one scare for it to become a problem in traffic.'' Riders who use this route will be asked to form a working party to help with the annual maintenance requirements, said Ian Bennett, the National Trust's head warden in south Pembrokeshire.

"To create a sustainable network we need help from those who use it,'' he said. He urged riders to keep to the way-marked route.

"We are in the process of preparing a map which will clearly show the route,'' he said.

This is the second bridleway the trust has established on its properties in south Pembrokeshire. The first was on the Stackpole Estate.