A couple photographed smooching just yards from a deer in Richmond Park have sparked fears people have not heeded safety advice.

A Petersham dog walker, who did not want to be named, took this snap of the pair locking lips on her iPhone while walking near Ham Gate in the Royal Park on Monday, July 1.

She was about 30ft from the couple, in their early 20s, who were having a picnic just an arm’s length from a stag.

She said: “When I walked past the first time I couldn’t believe it. They were just sitting there having a picnic with this deer there.

“They are not tame animals, they are wild animals and there are signs up in the park.”

When she returned after walking her dog round the park the loved-up couple were still in the same spot.

She said: “Wild animals are unpredictable and if it had decided to go for them they would have been in a lot of trouble.”

She warned the couple of the dangers of getting too close to the deer but they said they were not touching it and did not think it was a problem.

The Royal Parks issues advice to dog walkers and park users during the birthing season, which runs from May to July.

They warn people to steer clear of the animals during this time and advise dog walkers to keep to the perimeter of the parks.

A six-year-old cocker spaniel was injured last month after it was trampled by a deer in Richmond Park.