A DEER has been put to sleep following a crash on the motorway.

The RSPCA was called to reports of a “severely” injured male muntjac deer on the M5 this morning.

Unfortunately, to spare it from suffering, the deer has had to be euthanised.

A spokesperson for the RSPCA said: “We were called to help a severely injured male muntjac deer on the M5 early on Wednesday morning (19 April) after what appeared to be a road traffic collision.

“The deer collapsed and was suffering from the severe injuries and stress caused by the collision.

“Sadly the kindest course of action in this instance was to put the deer to sleep to prevent him from suffering further.

“Deer are vulnerable animals that can become easily stressed and this has a huge impact on their health and wellbeing.”

National Highways officers and West Mercia Police were both called to the scene shortly after 7.30am this morning.

One lane of the northbound carriageway had to be closed between junctions eight (M50) and seven (Evesham/Worcester).

A National Highways spokesperson said: "We received a report of an injured deer in the nearside lane of the northbound carriageway between junctions eight and seven at 7.40am.

"We closed lane one and stayed with it until the RSPCA could attend.”

RSPCA staff collected the deer at around 10.30am.

At 1.30pm, the animal charity confirmed the muntjac had been put to sleep.

West Mercia Police was also alerted to the injured animal.

A spokesperson for the force added: "At around 7.35am this morning (Wednesday, April 19) we received a report of an injured deer on the hard shoulder of the northbound carriageway between junctions eight and seven.”

The motorway lane was reopened shortly after RSPCA collected the animal, having been closed for about four hours.