Seeing a deer in a woodland glade is a rare, and quite special event - the shy creatures often keep as far away from people as possible.

But seeing one at the side of the road when you are driving your car is not quite so magical, as the fear is they will jump out in front of your vehicle.

Deer in Oxfordshire are increasingly foraging in urban areas and along the sides of roads.

And one expert says we will have to get used to them.

Hugh Rose, of the British Deer Society, said the change of areas of wasteland into scrubland in and around cities suited deer and they had colonised habitats they liked.

The animals had been there all along, he said, but because they were getting closer to towns, people were noticing them more.

He said: "More and more people who thought deer only lived in the countryside areas are suddenly realising they're living next to them.

"It's the same as foxes - they used to be a countryside animal, but now you see them in the cities.

"Roads like the A34 and the ring road around Oxford have bushes alongside them, which are ideal habitats for deer.

"Breeds like roe and muntjac are very popular here. They're small and secretive and are quite happy living in brambles. "

In December 2004, a muntjac deer was found trapped in railings at the Four Pillars Oxford Spires Hotel, in Abingdon Road, Oxford.

In December 2003, another got stuck in railings at Friar's Wharf, St Ebbe's.

Other deer have been caught up in road accidents. A motorist was taken to hospital last month, after his car hit a deer on the A34.

It was crossing the northbound carriageway between the Abingdon North and Hinksey interchanges at 3.20am.

The deer was killed and the driver was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, with spinal injuries.

It is estimated that there are between 30,000 and 50,000 collisions involving vehicles and deer on roads across the UK each year.

For more information about wild deer populations in Britain, see the websites www.bds.org.uk and www.thedeerinitiative.co.uk