MOTORISTS are urged to look out for deer as the rutting season starts.

GEM Motoring Assist warns that deer are on the move and more prevalent during the mating season.

It is believed there is a UK deer population of more than two million, and recent research shows around 75,000 are involved in vehicle collisions each year, with 10,000 killed instantly.

The human death toll from deer collisions ranges between ten and 20 annually, and industry estimates put the cost of damage to vehicles alone to be at least £17 million.