Sheep flock disappears from farm

No signs of tyre tracks or herding have been found

A flock of 23 sheep has been stolen from a family farm in Worcestershire.

The animals, valued at more than £1,600, disappeared from a 72-strong Texel flock in a field in Parkhill, Brockhill Road, Malvern.

Owner Meriel Picton said she was at a loss to explain how the sheep, ideal for breeding, had been removed as there were no signs of tracks.

"It's almost as if they used a helicopter to remove them from the field," she said.

She said she thought the thieves had targeted the best breeding animals from her flock.

"We are at a loss to know how the sheep were taken as there are no sign of fences being cut, tracks of where they might have been herded or vehicle tracks," she said.

Some of the stolen animals, including two with grey fleeces, have a tuft of wool on their heads and they all have silver ear tags.