BOSSES at a country park where at least eight deer froze to death in a lake have built a £3,000 safety fence to try to avoid a repeat of the tragedy.

The animals died at Whitworth Hall Country Park, near Spennymoor, County Durham, last December.

They were unable to distinguish the snow-covered frozen lake from the surrounding parkland and fell through the ice.

The Northern Echo revealed that families visiting Father Christmas’ grotto in the park’s grounds were upset by the scene, where the animals’ carcasses were clearly visible as frozen bumps on the surface.

Staff had tried to dissuade the animals from going near the lake by providing food, water and shelter away from it.

Now managers at the 73- acre park have built a 6ft post and rail fence to keep deer away from the water in freezing conditions.

Alan Lax, a director at the park, said they had worked with groups, including animal charity the RSPCA, to come up with a way to keep the deer safe.

“The fence means the deer are kept away from the lake so, hopefully, we won’t have a repeat of the problem,”

said Mr Lax. “We wanted to do something to prevent it. It has cost just short of £3,000, which has come from park funds.

“We put the fencing up as soon as the snow went last winter and the ground thawed. There are gates fitted into the fence, which is about 6ft high, and we are very much ready for winter this year.”

He added: “We thought the weather of 2009 was a one-off, but to have it again last year was unbelievable.

“We have acted this year to make sure the deer are safe.”

The country park has about 100 fallow deer and 40 red deer, which visitors can feed.