Liam Neeson pits himself against Pink and Chrissie Hynde

Irish actor Liam Neeson (right) is squaring up for a fight with the American pop stars Pink and Chrissie Hynde (left). Last year, the two singers joined forces with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) in an attempt to ban one of New York's most popular tourist attractions, the horse-driven carriages that operate around Central Park, claiming that the horses were being mistreated. Not so, says Neeson, a keen equestrian who has a home in New York and regularly visits the nags and their owners at the stables on Manhattan's upper west side.

"They've been there for a 100 years and they're an iconic part of New York," says the actor, whose film credits include Schindler's List. "I know many of these guys and I just hate how the horse-drawn carriage industry is being attacked by animal activists.

"These are the fittest, well-fed, best-kept horses I have ever seen. I'm a horse rider and lover for many years. They have a good life. They work nine-hour days and they have a holiday. Seriously. If you've ever seen these stables... I'd move in tomorrow."

Hynde, who joined a band of anti-carriage protestors in Central Park last December, has yet to respond to Neeson's claims. However, PETA are unmoved by his reassurances. "Liam, maybe you're right, let me ponder this for a moment," said a spokesman, laying on the sarcasm with a trowel "…It does seem like horses would prefer to endure the freezing cold and the panicky booms, noisy traffic, and exhaust fumes of the city over living in a lush pasture.

"And you're right, they probably much prefer the whips, shouting, heavy gear, traces, and lack of water in the troughs as well as the long shifts trudging for hours and pulling strangers in a half-mile circle all day without rest over living a natural life. Makes sense, right?"
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