Police are investigating the theft of 44 lambs – and have urged people to be on the lookout.

The mix of Suffolk and Charollais lambs were stolen from a field close to the Sun Inn at Lower Burton, near Dorchester this week.

The lambs, approximately six months old, had no ear numbers, are all shorn and had red markings on them.

Dorset Police's Rural Crime Team are investigating and want to know if residents saw anything suspicious in the area, if they have seen lambs for sale that match the description or if they have been offered cheap meat.

Thieves struck sometime between 11am on Wednesday, November 25 and 7.50am yesterday, Friday.

Police are urging residents to check any CCTV and for drivers with dashcam to review their footage.

PC Sebastian Haggett, of Dorset's Rural Crime Team, said “We would urge members of the public with any information to get in contact with us. Livestock theft is a serious issue and the public are our eyes and ears in the countryside. No matter how small you think your information is, it could be what we need to solve this case. Please get in touch”.

If you have any information contact police on 101 or email emailing 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk quoting incident 55200178929.