A HORSE has died after being hit by a lorry on the main road between Worcester and Hereford earlier this morning.

The incident happened when the animal was knocked down and killed at about 4.45am by a heavy goods vehicle travelling towards Hereford on the A4103 near the junction with the B4220.

Several horses were reported to be in the carriageway and ran off in the direction of Worcester.

A vet declared the horse dead at the scene at about 6.45am and staff from an abattoir attended at 7.15am to remove it and allow the road to be fully re-opened.

Update 11am: The owner of the horses has now come forward to the police.