A train crashed into a flock of sheep - killing at least 11 of them writes Charlotte Penketh-King.

The farmyard animals were crossing a railway line when they were hit.

One witness described the scene as "total carnage."

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The collision occurred on a stretch of track between Newton Abbot and Paignton in Devon on Sunday. Train journeys were severely disrupted and at least 11 dead sheep were visible from a nearby railway bridge.

A spokesperson for National Rail wrote on Twitter: "Animals on the railway between Newton Abbot and Paignton are causing disruption to journeys between these stations.

"Trains may be cancelled, delayed by up to 60 minutes or revised."

The sheep were later herded away from the railway line and after several hours of delays trains resumed normal service.