Two free-roaming animals have died after being hit by vehicles in the New Forest.

The latest animal accident bulletin issued by the New Forest Verderers says a cow was killed on the B3078 at Crows Nest.

The following day a pony was injured at Wootton Road, Brockenhurst, and had to be humanely destroyed by one of the agisters.

Another pony was reported to have been involved in an accident on the B3078 at Longcross. A search was carried out but the animal could not be found.

The number of animal accidents is expected to rise following the end of summer and the arrival of darker evenings.

Meanwhile, a warning has been issued ahead of the latest pony round-ups, known as drifts.

One of the drifts will start at Penn Common, Bramshaw, at 10am on Tuesday (September 26). It will be followed by a similar event at Brockenhurst at 10am on Friday (September 29).

The Brockenhurst event will be accompanied by the closure of several car parks and cycle trails. People are being urged to avoid the area.