DARWEN drivers have been alerted about the danger of deer running across one of the town’s main roads.

Warning signs have been put up on Pole Lane after several near misses between cars and the wild animals.

They have been installed on a quarter-mile stretch south of the Craven Heifer Hotel.

Marsh House councillor John Roberts, who himself had a near miss with one of deer running across the road, welcomed the introduction of the unusual signs by Blackburn with Darwen council.

He said: “There have been a number of scary near misses, where deer who graze on land at both sides of the road have appeared, mainly at night, at speed, jumping fences and crossing in front of traffic.

“They appear to be coming off the nearby moors.

“Sooner or later, there is going to be a serious accident, so the signs will raise the awareness of what is a dangerous hazard.

“I had a near miss with one about six months ago.

“Since then, I have had several residents and motorists contact me about this problem.

“This is quite an unusual set of signs in a built-up area.

“I never expected to be asking for ‘Beware of the Deer’ signs on a road in Marsh House.

“These are pretty substantial animals, which could do some real damage to a car.

“It is about protecting both the deer, and the divers and their passengers.

“Pole Lane is the second busiest road in Darwen after the A666, and motorists often use it as a diversion when going between Bolton and Blackburn to avoid the town centre.

“An added problem is that although Pole Lane is a 30 mph road, many motorists travel way in excess of this speed, so hopefully the new signs will encourage them to slow down”

Since 2010, there has been a steady increase in the deer population in East Lancashire The animals have a tendency to make their way on to roads and there have been problems in Ribble Valley, Burnley and on the M65 in recent years.

In May last year, a young deer was found trapped near Witton Country Park.