WILD deer are being killed on the region's roads more than anywhere else in the country, according to RSPCA warnings this week.

As the dark winter nights set in, Surrey's drivers are being warned to slow down and look out for deer stalking the carriageways in search of food and to lick salt from surfaces.

Officers launched the Deer Danger Alert following the revelation that 327 animals have already become casualties between January and September this year, most having to be destroyed at the accident site while others limp off to die in hiding.

This is more than double the number of incidents in the East Midlands or East Anglia regions, the next busiest areas.

Blackspots have been identified on roads such as the A30 London Road and the B3013 at Ewshot, as well as the A33 around Basingstoke and Reading.

Rob Dazely, south central regional manager, said: "Our statistics reveal that RSPCA officers in the region have carried out a staggering 35 per cent of all collections by the society's staff of road traffic-related injured deer in the first nine months of this year in England and Wales.

"This obviously has major implications for animal welfare, not to mention the risk of human casualties and damaged vehicles."