A horse rider died and another was seriously injured after two separate equestrian accidents in Worcestershire.

Jo-Anne Williams suffered a serious head injury and later died from her injuries after her horse fell on Sapey cross country course near Bromyard at around 3.30pm on Tuesday afternoon.

Mrs Williams, aged 34, was at fence eight on the novice course - believed to be the water jump - when her horse Shannandoah, a 14-year-old dark bay gelding, fell.

Mrs Williams, of Llanfaethlu, Holyhead, Anglesey in Wales was airlifted to Selly Oak Hospital where she later died. The horse was uninjured.

Alex Fox, chairman of British Eventing, which was running the one-day event, said it was with deepest regret that he had to make the announcement.

"On behalf of the whole sport, I would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Jo-Anne's family," he said.

"The thoughts and prayers of eventing people all over the country are with them at this sad time."

In a separate accident, a 24-year-old woman was airlifted to Selly Oak Hospital with a severe spinal injury after falling from her horse at Manor Farm Livery Yard, St John's Road, Stourport-on-Severn at 6.50pm on Tuesday.

The yard declined to comment on the accident.