FOUR animals, including a recently-born calf and foal, have been left dead or dying on the roads of the New Forest by hit-and-run drivers.

The accidents happened on successive days last week on various Forest roads and head agister Brian Ingram said: "It's one of the worst weeks we've ever had.

''I don't think we've ever had four hit-and-runs in one week."

The first of the four was a calf found injured on the Beaulieu Road at Lyndhurst. That was followed by a coloured mare on the long straight stretch of the B3054 at Hatchet Moor between Beaulieu, then a bay filly at Sway and finally a bay filly foal at Bramshaw Telegraph.

But some motorists did stop and report their collisions, one after an accident which claimed the life of a pig at Bramshaw and one after a collision with a pony which ran off at Meerut Road, Brockenhurst.

With animals having priority right of way on the Forest roads, Mr Ingram pointed out that motorists are legally required to report accidents.

"The whole point is that if you hit an animal anywhere in the Forest, you should report it straight away because that animal could lay there for a long time," he said.

Even minor bumps, he said, could cause major internal injuries which could lead to a slow and painful death.

The Verderers of the New Forest, who supervise the grazing rights, run a reward scheme for people who provide information leading to successful prosecutions.

Meanwhile, warnings have been given that there is a real danger of ponies or cattle straying on to the Forest's busiest road because of weak fencing near Ringwood.

Verderer Peter Frost outlined the problem near the Shell Garage and Happy Eater restaurant on the eastbound carriageway of the A31 at Picket Post.

"There is an accident waiting to happen there and it could be horrendous, but we don't seem to be getting anywhere with our efforts to have the fencing repaired properly," he said.

Mr Frost said highways engineers had carried out temporary repairs with a view to something more permanent being done later, but added that it was continuing to deteriorate.

Anyone involved in a daytime collision with an animal should ring the New Forest Verderers' office on 023 8028 2052. At other times they should call police on 0845 045 4545.