A rare white deer -- thought to be one of just a handful in the UK -- has been caught on camera grazing on an office lawn.

White deer were once revered in ancient Celtic mythology and were even associated with unicorns.

This white fallow deer buck was pictured by Graham Forsyth as he passed a Scottish Natural Heritage office in Newton Stewart, Dumfriesshire.

In the image it can be seen grazing on the lawn near a driveway outside the office.

The animal's white appearance is caused by leucism - a rare genetic pattern that reduces levels of the pigment responsible for colour.

A spokesman for Scottish Natural Heritage said: "White deer are rare but actually seeing one is even rarer.

"White examples turn up in a range of species including squirrels, blackbird, fox and various marine animals, as well as deer.

"For potential prey species this can pose an extra challenge if they have lost the advantage of camouflage and predators can see them very easily.

"For a predator the reverse is the case and prey will see them coming, making it harder to catch a meal.

"For these reasons the white form has a clear disadvantage and is therefore much less likely to pass on its genes.

"The deer in this photo should be okay however, as it is has few predators to worry about and prefers a vegetarian diet."