THIS incredible picture captures the moment a rare, stunning white stag is spotted strutting through the British countryside.

The majestic wild animal – long associated with mystery and good luck – was pictured by amateur wildlife photographer Ian Crisp as it stalked through Devon somewhere between Hatherleigh, Dartmoor and the Cornish border.

Ian, 30, of North Tawton near Hatherleigh, is remaining tight-lipped about the exact location of the stunning beast amid fears the stag may be targeted by hunters.

The famous 300lb 'Emperor', which was one of the country's largest wild deer, was shot dead by trophy hunters last year after it was spotted on nearby Exmoor.

Ian said he was stunned when he spotted the all-white deer stalking the countryside after receiving a tip-off from a friend.

He said: "I'd like to photograph him again, but I'm going to be careful. I don't want too many people to know where he is.

"It took me half an hour to get there, then I just walked across a field and photographed him.

"He was so docile. He didn't seem that bothered by me. I could have taken along a lump hammer and hit him on the head with it if I'd wanted to, he was so relaxed.

"I suppose he's a big boy and hasn't got any real natural enemies except someone with a gun, so why should he be frightened?

"I have seen some white hinds in the area before and once I saw a white pricket, a single male with straight antlers. But I'd heard rumours there was a white stag about.

"It's stunning and something I will never forget."

Veteran hunter and deer expert Maurice Scott, master of the Devon and Somerset staghounds, said: "White red deer are very unusual. We had one on Exmoor. It must have been more than 20 years ago but that wasn't from the local herd.

"We believed he was dumped by some private owner on Molland Common.

"He didn't stay long. I don't know what happened to him, but they said he had difficulty seeing in the daylight."

White red deer are not albinos. Most have been affected by a rare condition called leucism which causes the hair and skin to lose its natural colour.

White stags have featured in British myth and legend for centuries.