A LONE deer has been spotted on Portland for the first time in 30 years.

The roe deer, common on the mainland but seldom seen on the island, was spied on Monday by retired police constable Ian MacRaild and his wife Mary outside their Westcliff home at 10.30 in the morning.

Mr MacRaild, 65, of Martinscroft Road, said: "My wife called me to come and look out the window and it was hopping towards Weston Street. It hopped over a hedge and was gone.

"I know it was a roe deer because I come from Scotland and have seen them before.

"But we've lived here since 1976 and have never seen a deer on Portland.

"We love living here and are living here by choice. It's the country to us, and to see a deer is brilliant."

Mrs MacRaild, 58, added: "I did a double-take. It was amazing to see it go across the cliff. It's normally just ramblers you see going across the cliff, but to see a deer, well, I got quite excited."

But it's not just the MacRailds getting excited by the deer.

Portland wildlife expert and Portland Bird Observatory warden Martin Cade said he has been receiving reports of the animal hopping across the island.

He said: "They're not that rare on the mainland, and there have been old-timers saying they've seen deer here 30 years ago, but the recent sightings are the first for some time.

"I've been told of sightings out at Portland Heights and even as far as Portland Bill."

Mr Cade said that for some years deer had been seen at Radipole, and he believed this one had come across Ferrybridge or even trudged along Chesil Beach.

He added: "I've seen it here at the observatory a couple of times and it is quite a young deer. It probably won't want to be breeding just yet, but I imagine it could get a bit lonely when it does."

Mr Cade added that there was no reason why deer could not colonise the island if the current one does find a mate.