POLICE investigating the shooting of 10 sheep and lambs at a remote spot near the Worcestershire/Gloucestershire border are calling on local residents and weekend visitors to try and recall seeing, or hearing, anything suspicious.

Three sheep died on land off Swinley Lane, Corse Lawn, between 6pm on Friday June 13 and 3pm on Sunday.

In the second incident, another seven were either killed outright, or had to be put down in the 15-acre field, between 3.15pm and 8pm on Monday.

"I just can't understand why anyone would carry out what amounts to a massacre of harmless animals," said owner Matthew Jeynes, of Deerhurst Walton, Deerhurst, Gloucestershire.

"I have not upset anyone and don't know of anyone who could have a grudge against me," added Mr Jeynes, who has 500 sheep and approximately 650 lambs - on two sites.

South Worcestershire police spokesman Richard Bull said: "This is a comparatively remote location and basically inaccessible by vehicle, so a vehicle, probably unfamiliar in Corse Lawn, may have been parked up in the general area on both occasions while the perpetrator made their way on foot.

"We want anyone who was in the area between the given times - either visiting or at home - to put their thinking caps on to bring to mind anything that may be of help to our enquiries, whether a vehicle or an individual. It may be something they saw, or something they heard."

He said that all the animals had been shot by someone using a rifle and ballistics tests were being carried out to establish its identity.

Police can be contacted on 08457 444 888. Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.