POLICE in the New Forest are investigating a spate of hit-and-run accidents that have left four animals dead.

One was killed outright but others were left in agony and were not put out of their misery until they were found the following day. Wreckage at the scene of the collisions is being examined by police in a bid to trace the drivers.

The first hit-and-run incident occurred at Summer Lane, Beaulieu , where a foal suffered a broken back and was left in a ditch.