A horsewoman who suffered severe head injuries in a hunting accident was named yesterday as estate agency boss Heather Mather.

Miss Mather, from Corbridge, was airlifted to Newcastle General Hospital after falling from her horse at a Tynedale Hunt meeting on Saturday.

She was taken from a remote road in Belsay by Great North Air Ambulance paramedics.

She works at Cluttons estate agents in Matfen.

Miss Mather was described by doctors as in a critical but stable condition after apparently fracturing her skull in a riding accident.

It is believed that Miss Mather's horse stepped in a hole and reared up in fear, throwing her to the ground.

Two doctors and an anaesthetist who were taking part in the hunt performed emergency first aid before the emergency services arrived.

Members of the hunt praised paramedics for their swift action in getting Miss Mather from the remote location to hospital in Newcastle.

Miss Mather was still in intensive care last night.

Richard Dodd, regional director of the hunting organisation the Countryside Alliance, said: "I know they've been keeping her sedated. Heather is a lovely woman. Everyone who knows her is praying she makes a good recovery."