POLICE are appealing for witnesses after poachers shot a sheep with a high-power rifle.

Between 10pm on Monday and 5am on Tuesday, offenders entered land off Malton Road at Marton, near Sinnington, North Yorkshire.

They caused extensive damage to hedges, crops and a gate before shooting a sheep with a high-power rifle.

Police say the offenders left the sheep suffering in great distress, before the owners found it in the field several hours later.

Sadly, its injuries were so severe it had to be euthanised.

Details of the incident have been posted on social media.

The farmer said: "When they broke the fuel pipe off their vehicle trying to get back out of the field, they turned around and shot a young sheep.

"They left her dying with her three week old lambs near her.

"We found her at 6am this morning flicking and very slowly dying. We put her down as soon as we found her.

"We stayed night and day with these sheep only three weeks ago lambing them. They have only been out in the field a week. We are now left with two little orphans." 

Officers from North Yorkshire Police's Rural Taskforce are investigating the incident, and are carrying out extensive enquiries in the area.

Police are appealing for anyone who knows anything about the incident, or saw any suspicious vehicles or people in the area to contact them as a matter of urgency.

Anyone who can assist the investigation is asked to email neil.cholmondeley@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk, or dial 101, select option 2 and ask for PC Neil Cholmondeley.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Please quote reference number NYP-17052016-0054 when passing information.