A TENTH of all roadkill found across Britain died on the A303.

Figures obtained by Confused.com revealed that 434 animals were found dead on the A303 in 2016/17, equating to 11 per cent of all roadkill found across Britain.

Other data, obtained through a Freedom of Information request, shows that 44 per cent of motorists in the South West have hit an animal while driving.

Amanda Stretton, motoring editor at Confused.com, says: “Sadly, Confused.com’s data highlights the sheer number of animals killed on Britain’s roads and in the last two years this figure has been in the thousands. And with more than 400 animals killed on the A303 alone is a sad and worrying figure.

“Unfortunately, being a driver means you have to make difficult decisions when it comes to facing an animal in the road and doing what is safest for yourself and other road users. If swerving means putting yourself and other drivers at risk then this should be avoided.

“Some drivers might also be tempted to jump out of the car and investigate a dead animal on the road, but this can also be risky. Drivers should know which animals they are legally required to stop for, so to help them Confused.com has created a guide on what to do if you hit an animal while on the road”

The top five animals found on the stretch of road was deer, with 127 found, badgers, with 101 found, foxes, with 97 found, cats, with 45 found, and dogs, with 31 found.

Across Britain, a total of 3,907 dead animals were found.

Some drivers may find it upsetting to accidentally run over an animal while others take a more practical approach to the issue, with a quarter (25 per cent) of drivers across the region saying they have or would consider eating roadkill.