A dog walker claims she had to run for safety after being attacked by a deer while out with her son and dogs.

North Norfolk News: Daniel Day captured this picture of a Muntjac on Weybourne beach.Daniel Day captured this picture of a Muntjac on Weybourne beach. (Image: Daniel Day)

Jane Day, 51, was walking through the woods at Kelling Heath Holiday Park, near Holt, with her 23-year-old son Daniel and cockapoo dogs Buddy, three, and Purdy, two, when they were confronted by the Muntjac.

She explained she threw sticks at the animal and screamed as she ran to safety with her son and two dogs.

However, she is warning other visitors to beware.

Recalling her ordeal, Jane, who was visiting the area from Lincolnshire, said: 'Beware when walking through Kelling Heath Holiday Park woods. Myself, my son and two dogs got chased and attacked by an adult Muntjac today. Luckily my son picked up my little dog but then the animal still kept going for her. 'We managed to get away by screaming, running and throwing sticks. Unheard of in these woods apparently. Dread to think if I'd been on my own!'

The drama unfolded on Wednesday around 3pm. Earlier in the week her son had been on Weybourne beach taking pictures when two deer appeared, but they fled.

Mark Durrant, operations manager at Kelling Heath Holiday Park, said: 'Muntjac are by nature shy creatures, but like any wild animal they can become nervous and protective around their young. We would advise all walkers that dogs must be kept on leads and where possible they should avoid getting too close.'

Muntjacs, also known as barking deer, are the oldest known deer, thought to have begun appearing 15–35 million years ago.

Wildlife experts insist they are not dangerous.

Deer hunter David Ward of Norfolk Deer Management, said: 'It could have young nearby which it was defending, but deer do not attack people. I would advise anyone in this situation to get the dogs under control and then allow the deer to just go.'