A TRANENT woman was surprised when she pulled open her bedroom blinds to see a roe deer outside her house.

Claire Gordon spotted the deer wandering along Coalgate Avenue at about 6am on Tuesday.

She said on social media: "I opened my blind at 6am this morning to see a deer standing right outside my house!

"The photos aren't great as it kept moving but [it was] a lovely surprise!"

An East Lothian Council spokesperson said: "Roe deer numbers are likely to increase in Central Scotland because of climate change, resulting in milder winters, but also because we are all being encouraged to plant more trees which creates even more suitable deer habitats.

"Deer in our towns and villages will browse in gardens but, especially with 20mph speed limits, the potential for deer vehicle collisions is minor.

"The greater concern is with the potential for a collision on 60mph speed limited roads hence the installation by the Council of warning signs in advance of wood lined stretches of road."

The post gathered attention from locals, with one saying: "Beautiful creatures.

"Makes me sad; all these new builds stealing their habitat."

Another said: "They used to run about down by Blindwells but now they are building there they have moved up this way.

"There is about five or six of them, they are in the field opposite Steading View a lot of the time.

"It's sad to see them having to move on from where they are used to being."

A final comment read: "Poor thing, their habitat is continually being taken from them and they are being pushed further and further into housing areas.

"Poor baby has been lost: hope they found their way back safely."