THE owner of two sheep found butchered in a field near the River Wear has spoken of her horror at discovering their mutilated bodies.

The dead animals, one with its head and front leg hacked off and the other with its ears removed, were uncovered on Tuesday evening by Dorothy Hepple.

Both animals appeared to have been stabbed before being mutilated and body parts were later found dumped in the river following the slaughter, which is thought to have taken place on Saturday night.

Police have described the attack as "horrific" and Mrs Hepple found the sheep in a field barn at an area of land known as the Butts off the Market Place in Stanhope, Weardale in County Durham.

They were part of a small flock owned by Mrs Hepple and her husband, who graze on the land, near a caravan site, and police believe youths camping in the area may well have been responsible.

"I felt absolutely sickened," said Mrs Hepple, of nearby Crawleyside, who went down to the site with her son after seeing damage to fencing and railings.

"When you see a carcass with a punctured stomach, with half its insides hanging out, of a sheep that you've looked after and know personally in a way, you feel quite awful."

"We've had a lot of trouble down there with destruction but it's never been this bad before."

Because of the current foot and mouth alert, the carcasses could not be removed until special permission was obtained from Defra animal health officers.

Sgt Frank Hewison, of Crook police, said: "We know there was some kind of all night party in this area from Saturday into Sunday, and the people responsible for this horrific attack may well have been there.

"Whoever carried out this mindless killing will have been left badly bloodstained. There will be people who know who is responsible and I would urge them to contact the police as soon as possible."

District councillor Richard Mews, who lives near the scene, said: "I just hope the police catch them - these people are sick for doing this to animals."

Anyone who can help with police inquiries is asked to contact PC Angela Crampsie on 0845-6060-365 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.