A CAMPAIGN to halt sheep carnage on moorland roads is under way.

Through special signs, drivers are being warned of the dangers of sheep and lambs on unfenced roads.

But animals are also being killed in villages due to carelessness by motorists.

In all, more than 200 sheep and lambs are killed on roads in the North York Moors National Park every year.

Now the park authority is determined to hammer home the safety message.

The authority's tourism and transport officer Bill Breakell said: "As well as scores of smaller signs warning motorists of lambs, larger and reflective signs are being out up in key areas in a joint venture with farmers and landowners.

"The message is aimed at every motorist, whether they drive a truck or a car. It is aimed at visitors as well as locals, most of whom know the roads well but can't predict what a sheep or a lamb is going to do."

The problem has been aggravated this year as many temporary cattle grids - installed as part of last year's foot-and-mouth precautions - have been removed.

In many places this means sheep are exploring new territory, facing traffic they are not used to and where drivers may not be expecting sheep.

Each year, hundreds of animals are killed and many more hurt as a result of accidents involving vehicles.

The cost to farmers is enormous and especially significant in the face of current problems facing agriculture.

Farmer Janet Richardson said: "All we ask is that drivers look out for sheep throughout the area.

"Many sheep have not been used to traffic for a while and also drivers may not expect to see them in villages as well as on the moors.

"Sheep and lamb deaths affects us badly - both in the pocket and emotionally."

The advice to motorists is to drive at lower speeds on moorland roads and to expect the unexpected.

A maximum speed of 40mph has been suggested.

Bill Breakell said that in some places even that is too fast.

"In addition to the pain and suffering for animals, there is a human cost to these accidents," he said. "There have been serious injuries and even fatalities for drivers and passengers involved in accidents with sheep.

The message is simple: allow longer for the moorland journey and cut speeds to 40 or below."

One of the main blackspots for such accidents is the north-south route from Lockwood Beck on the Guisborough to Whitby road via Castleton. The roads above Westerdale, Commondale and Rosedale are also hazardous.

Although main roads are generally fenced, there is still the risk of stray sheep on the carriageway.