I THOUGHT you might be interested in my sighting on Sunday, August 3 at about 3.45pm.

I was walking on the canal at Rishton when I looked down in the field towards the Dunkenhalgh Hotel and a young red deer ran across the field.

I have lived in Rishton for 20 years and have never seen a deer in the fields around this area.

As it was a young deer I presume there will be more. Is this a rarity?

M HAWORTH (Mrs), Chapel Street, Rishton.

Ron replies: The species is actually a roe deer, which is the smallest native species of deer in Britain. In recent years we have planted more and more trees and these have provided food and shelter.

The breeding season for roe in East Lancashire is August and this is why there have been a lot of sightings in our area.

The coat of the roe is almost red and this will explain why Mrs Haworth thought her sighing was of a "small red deer." As the roe is territorial at this time it is worthwhile keeping an eye open for regular sightings.