UNITED KINGDOM-Missing sheep re-appear in Norfolk.

UNITED KINGDOM.

MISSING 24 SHEEP LOST IN NORFOLK RE-APPEAR.

A woman walking a small terrier said it set off in pursuit of the sheep after slipping its lead on Holme Beach, near Hunstanton, on Saturday afternoon.

The sheep were grazing on nearby Holme Dunes Nature Reserve, where they are used to keep grass under control by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust.

Holme Dunes warden Gary Hibberd said: "It was a tiny little terrier, barely a quarter the size of the sheep and yet it caused so much damage."

After being chased around the dunes, about half the flock of 50 sheep became split off and made a break for it. At first, the animals found their way into a field by the A149 coast road, where it was decided to leave them until a shepherd could be called in to drive them back to Holme on Sunday morning.

When the shepherd arrived at dawn, the sheep had gone. By now the story was starting to bear more than a passing resemblance to Wallace and Gromit’s Close Shave, where sheep disappear after being abducted for their wool.

Mr Hibberd remained hopeful. The missing sheep were more likely to have found a hollow somewhere out of the wind and rain than suffered foul play, he said, as searches for the missing animals were stepped up around neighbouring Ringstead and Thornham.

The animals were found late on Sunday at East Hall Farm, Sedgeford - almost five miles from Holme reserve. Earlier, there were reports of a number of sheep being sighted close to Lavender Hill junction at Heacham.

Mr Hibberd said: "We are extremely relieved that the missing sheep have been found safe and well.

"We are, however, becoming increasingly concerned about the frequency of incidents involving dogs and grazing animals or wildlife.

"We implore owners to keep their dogs under the closest of control to protect both themselves and the animals - especially in the next few months, the breeding season for grazing animals and wildlife."