ON Sunday January 9, my wife and I were travelling from Blunsdon to Highworth (Cricklade Road B4019) towards Blunsdon, when we saw the body of an animal at the side of the road.

It was a small deer, which I believe is called a muntjak. It was dead but, sadly, lying by its side was its baby, no larger than a guinea pig, also dead.

My wife placed both bodies on the grass verge.

The baby was not injured and it seemed it had just lain by its dead mother and eventually died.

Goodness knows when she died or how long her baby lay by her side, probably frightened out of its mind by the passing vehicles.

It was so very sad, but these and other animals and birds will run in front of vehicles which travel so fast they are unable to stop if an animal just happens to be in their path.

Therefore, I ask all drivers on any road to drive slowly and give such animals a chance.

They do not understand the danger they're in when trying to cross a road.

So please, all drivers drive with great caution and attention, especially on country roads.

When driving a vehicle and an animal, bird or reptile is seen on the road ahead, it is easy to slow down,

They do not know they should not be on that road.

Give them a chance and do not assume they will move out of the way.

K A J HEAD

Highworth