HORSE riders were today warned to take extra care when riding through a Suffolk village – because of roaming WALLABIES.The warning for riders in Tuddenham St Martin comes after a horse was startled by three wallabies near a bridleway off Tuddenham Road.

HORSE riders were today warned to take extra care when riding through a Suffolk village - because of roaming WALLABIES.

The warning for riders in Tuddenham St Martin comes after a horse was startled by three wallabies near a bridleway off Tuddenham Road.

The rider, Lyn Clarke, of Cauldwell Hall Road, Rushmere St Andrew, escaped without injury but she has issued a warning to other riders to take extra care in the area.

Mrs Clarke said: "The horse reared up and went back. It would just not go forward.

"I knew there was something different. My horse started shaking because it's not an animal they're used to seeing.

"All of a sudden I saw all three of them across a field.

"They stopped and all sat up and looked at me. I was looking down at them and they were looking at me."

The marsupials have been sighted a number of times in the Tuddenham area since one was first spotted in September last year.

Several residents subsequently reported seeing a wallaby on their property and one was recaptured in the garden of a Tuddenham Road resident.

Initially it was thought there was only one wallaby and mystery surrounded who owned it but now there are claims there are as many as three wallabies living in an enclosure in a property off Tuddenham Road.

Ms Clarke said: "They've been there at least since last summer.

"The day after the chap bought them they got loose.

"When I saw them the speed they were going was just terrific.

"They can actually jump six to eight foot and his fence is not six to eight feet high."

The keen horse rider posted a notice to others who ride in the Tuddenham and Rushmere St Andrew areas.

Ms Clarke said: "Horse riders could easily break their back if the horse span around.

"My horse is quite good but if all of a sudden these three just jumped over a fence I dread to think what might happen. It is quite dangerous."

The RSPCA confirmed it had been called to Tuddenham on two occasions this year after reports of wallabies on the loose.

An RSPCA spokeswoman said: "On the last couple of occasions the wallabies turned out to be safe and well with the owners.

"We've never had a report from the owner that they were missing."

The Evening Star attempted to contact the owner of the wallabies but no one was available for comment.