A FAMILY has come up with an ingenious way of avoiding rocketing fuel prices – by swapping their car for a horse and cart.

Lisa Wilde, 37, became so frustrated at the rising costs she now leaves her Land Rover in the garage and uses her trusty horse and cart for everything from the school run, to trips to the shops and even the local pub.

Lisa and partner Dean Wiles, 38, from Feering, say the change has already saved the family hundreds of pounds.

Every day sees them complete a seven-mile round trip to their children’s schools.

They drop Benjamin, nine, and Oliver, six, at St Peter’s School, in Coggeshall, before dropping daughter Eleanor, 15, at the Honywood School. The round trip takes about 40 minutes.

Mum-of-three Lisa said: “Fuel is extortionate. One day we just decided we couldn’t afford it, and we haven’t looked back. The horses need feeding and exercising anyway, so it just makes sense.

“In the current economic climate it’s also very expensive keeping horses, but now they are definitely earning their keep.”

The family, who make and repair horse boxes for a living, have been using the cart on and off for the past six months.

The change of lifestyle has made the family popular among the locals. Lisa said: “Whenever we are out and about it causes quite a stir, but it seems to put a smile on people’s faces and definitely beats the usual rat race.

“The only problem we’ve had so far is that Eleanor cringes every time we pull up outside her school as everyone is staring – but she never turns down a lift.

Proud Benjamin said: “I love riding in the carriage. My mates love getting to stroke the horses and are always asking me for lifts home.”