Drivers have been urged to be vigilant to deer on the roads after the start of rutting season.

The City of London Corporation has urged Epping Forest motorists to be careful after the season started with the autumn equinox last Thursday (September 22).

With doe only fertile for one day each year, stags aggressively chase them and lock antlers in battle, potentially straying onto roads and paths.

Jeremy Dagley, the corporation’s head of conservation, said: “Every year at around this time we see more collisions as a result of deer running into the road.

“This is most likely around sunrise and from sunset into the early part of the night, when the deer are more active and there are more cars on the roads.

“We would like to remind drivers to take care and keep within the speed limits of the forest roads - a deer can appear almost immediately, so it is important to be alert and aware at all times.”