A young donkey that featured in road safety campaign has died after being hit by a car.

Six-month-old Jo-Jo was taken to Brockenhurst College three months ago to take part in its Drivesafe event, which cited the large number of animals killed on New Forest roads every year.

But Jo-Jo has become a casualty herself after being struck by a vehicle in Sway Road, Brockenhurst.

Her owner, Robert Byford, who runs a farm at nearby Tile Barn Lane, said: “We were devastated. She belonged to our two-year-old grandson and was his first animal.”

Sway Road resident Caroline Pemberton added: “The donkey was lying in the middle of the road and took about five minutes to die. Her mother was distraught and was running in and out of traffic.”

Graham Ferris, chairman of the Commoners' Defence Association (CDA), organised Jo-Jo's appearance at Brockenhurst College in September.

He said: “We did it because we wanted to get the biggest possible crowd at the CDA stand, which stressed the importance of deriving appropriately along unfenced roads as there is livestock around day and night.”