A DONKEY was knocked down by a taxi driver when several of the animals escaped into a Tadley road.

The donkey had to be put down by a local vet after the collision, which happened shortly after midnight near to the junction of Tadley Hill and Glebe Close last Saturday.

The driver of the taxi was uninjured and did not require hospital treatment.

While the other donkeys were rounded up and collected by their owner, the body of the animal was left at the side of Tadley Hill road until Monday.

Passers-by were said to be distressed by the sight of the animal, which was partially covered by tarpaulin.

Tadley Town Council chairman Councillor David Leeks said: “I understand that a number of local children saw the animal for some time afterwards, and were very upset by the sight of it.”

Hampshire County Council’s highways team were called to the incident in the early hours of Saturday but did not dispose of the body.

Staff from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council eventually removed the animal on Monday, shortly after they were called about it by a concerned resident.