TWO New Forest ponies have been killed on a road notorious for animal accidents.

Shocking images of a mare and foal lying dead beside Roger Penny Way, near Godshill, have been posted on social media in a bid to encourage drivers to take extra care.

The five-year-old mare was killed outright and her foal was so badly injured it had to be humanely destroyed The collision occurred on Monday evening and involved two ponies that were part of a family group.

A spokesman for the New Forest Roads Campaign said the accident occurred just 75 metres from one of the "Watch Out Day and Night" warning signs installed in a bid to cut the number of animal accidents.

The vehicle involved is understood to have been a Ford Focus car that was badly damaged. The female driver was unhurt.

Animal lovers have turned to social media to express their shock and dismay at the death of the two ponies.

Teresa Smith Strugnell says: "So sad. Breaks my heart."

Jean Davenport adds: "Heartbreaking to say the least. Hope they (the driver) get to look at the carnage they have caused."

Roger Penny Way, which links Brook and Godshill, is one of the worst roads in the Forest for animal accidents.

The latest collision comes just two weeks after Cllr Ken Thornber, former leader of Hampshire Council, called for some of the New Forest ponies to be fenced in.

He made the call at a meeting of the New Forest National Park Authority, one of the organisations striving to reduce the number of animal accidents.