OFFICIALS are investigating after the bodies of at least seven foxes were discovered by a walker in the New Forest.

Warning: this article includes images some readers may find disturbing

Polly Copleston had just left Verely car park in Burley on foot when she made the heartbreaking discovery at around 2pm yesterday afternoon.

She said: “I had just walked out of the car park when I discovered them piled up.

“There were around six of them in one pile, and another lying a short distance away by itself. It was difficult for me to see if there were any injuries - one had hurt its leg, but other than that there were no obvious marks. It looked as if they'd all been dragged there and piled up.”

Polly reported the grim find to the Forestry Commission, and officials are investigating.

She said: “It's very strange, and I can't understand how they died and came to be where they were.”

Some methods of killing foxes are illegal, including poisoning the animals.

Anyone with information is asked to call the RSPCA on 0300 123 0744.

The discovery comes after a badger sett was "purposefully targeted" at Bourne Valley Nature Reserve recently.

Police issued an appeal after it was feared a family of badgers could have suffocated after a sett was destroyed.