Rustlers steal prize-winning sheep flock

SHEEP rustlers have struck at a County Durham farm, stealing a prize-winning flock which it is feared could be slaughtered.

Trevor Walton believes that someone with shepherding skills took his 14 lambs from a field in Low Willington, near Crook.

The one-year old Texel gimmer lambs were voted champions of Stanhope Agricultural Show, last month.

The rustlers did leave one lamb behind, but the flock was Mr Walton's breeding stock for future shows.

The 54-year-old said the stolen sheep were unlikely to be shown again and feared they will be slaughtered for meat.

"It's despicable. I can't believe someone would do this. If they wanted sheep for meat, then they could have picked them up fairly cheap at a market," he said.

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"But these were pure-bred sheep and next year they would have been worth about £2,100."

The distinctive white-faced sheep were grazing in a field next to Low Willington Industrial Estate, but, they were found to be missing early on Saturday, October 8.