A SCHOOL caretaker has sent out an urgent appeal for help in rehousing a terrified young deer that strayed onto a Southampton playing field over a week ago.

Lucian Rebera has managed to coax the 3ft fawn into an area of trees and bushes at Tanners Brook Junior School in Millbrook, but says he cannot keep gates locked indefinitely.

And he has expressed disappointment over the response of animal welfare groups such as the RSPCA to his calls for assistance.

Mr Rebera said: "I cannot see the problem in tranquillising it.

"All I'm trying to do is maintain the safety of the animal until someone is prepared to take action to deal with it. It needs to go to a sanctuary."

The unexpected guest, which appears to be uninjured, is only yards from a fence bordering busy Tebourba Way.

Mr Rebera remains mystified as to how it arrived, and fears it may try to escape by vaulting over into the path of daytime traffic.

Jamie Summers, assistant head keeper at Romsey's Paultons Park wildlife centre, said attempts to catch the deer could result in it breaking bones, and he insisted there were a number of difficulties in using a tranquilliser gun.

RSPCA spokeswoman Emma Nutbrown said the best solution would be for the deer to leave at night of its own accord.

She added that it could die from the stress of being approached, and urged people to leave it alone.

Mr Rebera said he was worried because contractors would soon have to come into the school to prepare the grounds for the new term.

Anyone who can suggest ways to help can contact him on 01703 481155.

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.