New signs have been put up on Dartmoor to prevent ponies from being killed on the roads in the winter.

Mobile electronic speed warnings are also being introduced which tell drivers to slow down.

The displays will be visible on all eight main roads into the moor.

Ponies are especially vulnerable to speeding motorists in the winter months as they are generally dark in colour and can be difficult to see near roads.

The ponies' colours can make them hard to see

Mobile electronic warning signs will flash up a reminder of the speed limit if a motorist is travelling too fast.

Rob Steemson of the Dartmoor National Park Authority said: "Over the last few years we have noticed an increase in animal fatalities immediately after the clocks change for the winter months.

"This is part of a range of measures to hopefully put the message across that people need to really keep their speed down on the moor."

Tom Anderson, of the Dartmoor Livestock Protection Society, said: "Anything that can be done to make the animals' life better on the moor, I'm all for.

"I'm not sure how much it's going to work, but even if it's a little bit, I'm all for it.

"But the ultimate aim is to get fencing on the worst back spots."