An eyewitness has described the final moments of a stray dog, nicknamed Houdini, who has captured the heart of Ashtead residents, as it chased a fox across a road at the "speed of light".

Zara Webb, from Sutton, was in the car with her father, partner and young son when a silver car hit the lurcher and kept driving along the A217 on Sunday evening.

Houdini has been roaming around Ashtead and surrounding areas since Easter, despite the best efforts of concerned residents to catch him and find him a safe home.

"Run safely among the stars" - Houdini the dog found dead at roadside

In the few days since his death more than £440 has been raised for a memorial fund.

Miss Webb said: "We were unfortunately the unlucky family that saw him hit by a car. I called the police straight away, my wonderful dad drove back round to him to wait for services to arrive.

"Unfortunately he had passed away, it was an awful experience my six-year-old son was in the car. Houdini was chasing a fox across the A217 at 11.25pm, he ran passed our car at the speed of light it seemed.

"As he ran into the next lane, a car travelling around 50/60 hit him which knocked into a post onto the other side of the road. My partner who was also in the car, is a big dog lover.

"We couldn't imagine just leaving him there."

It was only the next morning, when Miss Webb went on the Internet that she realised how many lives the dog had touched.

She said: "Our only regret is not remembering to pay attention to the car that hit and drove off, it happened so quickly and we were just utterly shocked what was happening in front of our eyes.

"I hope he is now at peace and running with the stars, and I'm glad it was my family that was there at the end. He wasn't alone. God bless."

To donate in Houdini's memory visit www.gofundme.com/tph9fu8