POLICE are investigating after about 80 lambs were stolen from a farmer's field between Yarm and Stokesley.

The theft was reported to North Yorkshire Police on Monday after a routine check on the animals revealed the huge loss.

The lambs were taken from a field in Middleton on Leven near Hutton Rudby and a spokeswoman for North Yorkshire Police said it was difficult to know exactly when they had been stolen due to the nature of livestock checks.

Hambleton Rural Taskforce are investigating and the police spokeswoman urged anyone with any information about the incident to get in touch. She said: "It is under investigation and if anyone saw anything suspicious or has any information, ring us on 101 using crime number 12190172310."