The owner of the Beckhampton Gallops, popular with hundreds of dog walkers, says he may close off access to the public - because of littering.

Roger Charlton trains around 100 race horses - including the Queen's horses - every day on the land between the A4 towards Calne and A361 towards Devizes.

But he says increased amounts of litter has become dangerous for his horses and riders, and he has even been threatened with violence by walkers.

"I am very loathe to do it," said Roger from the Beckhampton stables near the roundabout who owns the land in question.

"But there is a real danger to both horses and riders, and I just don't think people realise. I cannot afford to have an accident caused by this. I really do not want to close this area off, but I must put the health and safety of those working for me first."

"We have seen so many more dog walkers, not local to here, coming since lockdown."

Locals using the area know to visit after midday when the training sessions have finished.

"We see literally hundreds of people up here over a weekend.

"It is incredibly dangerous if say a family or a dog runs out of the bushes. Or a piece of litter flies up in front of these horses. They are highly-strung thoroughbreds. I've had people say to me 'my dogs don't mind horses'. Young colts will sometimes chase dogs and can be aggressive.

"If something happens to people, I am responsible, and it makes me very nervous," he added.

"We have seen more and more dog mess bags left on the ground, cans of lager, crisp packets, water bottles and so on. People seem to have no understanding or respect for this beautiful area.

"We have even had joy riders drive across here, motorbikes and four wheel drivers who have broken through the gates.

"This isn't public park land, although I have had people square up to me about it if I ask them to move away from us. One person even took his jacket off and threatened to fight me. I've seen young children swinging on the training rails and breaking them.

"I often get people telling me that I can't stop them going where they want. But there is no public access right here.

"I've always welcomed people in the past, and I don't really want to put signs up everywhere saying 'Private Land."

Dog walkers on the gallops this weekend were horrified when the Gazette and Herald shared Roger's concerns.

Becky and Dan Chilcott from Chippenham walk their labradors. "We always pick up litter if we see it," said Dan. "But we have noticed it is much busier than usual of late. It makes me angry that people do not respect it."

Julie from Marlborough said: "I think maybe dog walkers could group together and help them out with a big litter picking day. It just takes someone to organise it though."

Horses have been trained at Beckhampton for 200 years.