A HORSE was struck by a van on a New Forest road this morning.

Police were called to the scene at 6.11am, to Sway Road, Brockenhurst after a collision between a Mercedes Sprinter van and a horse.

The incident, which occurred near Brockenhurst School, caused a partial road closure.

A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said: "Unfortunately, the animal had to be put down at the scene.

"It was removed from the scene at 7.31am and the road was re-opened.

"There were no injuries caused to the male driver."

A nearby resident of Addison Road believed he saw two horses had been hit, despite Hampshire Constabulary saying there was just the one.

He told the Echo: "I was coming out for work and got badly held up. I got out to have a look and there was two horses.

He added: "All us locals are getting pretty annoyed actually.

"There's been a few foal deaths and the road is being used as a bit of a rat run."

The road was re-opened at 7.31am, and the van was still there at 1pm this afternoon.