MORE than 200 sheep and lambs are killed each year on moors roads, and the number is rising.

Although thousands of drivers visit the North York Moors, it is usually local people, who know the roads, who have the accidents. Motorists are being accused of driving at inappropriate speeds.

Despite a campaign to reduce animal accidents and the erection of well over 100 signs on unfenced moors roads, farmers in the North York Moors are concerned that more animals than ever are being killed.

Mark Carter, whose sheep graze the moors above Rosedale, said: "We have worked extremely hard for many years to build up our moorland flock and the deaths of ewes and lambs caused by careless and speeding motorists is depressing and demoralising.

"It causes financial losses we can ill afford, but also makes us question why we should continue to put in the time and effort."

Bill Breakell, the National Park's tourism and transport officer, agreed that the problem had worsened.

"Every motorist, whether they drive a truck or a car, needs to be aware of the additional dangers on moorland roads and the real suffering and distress caused to animals and their owners following accidents," he said.

"But despite the increase in visitors at this time of year, it is often the regular users of the moorland roads who are the problem. Most of them will know the road well, but can never predict where every sheep or lamb is, nor what the animal is going to do.

"The message is straightforward: allow a little longer for the journey on moorland roads and reduce speed to 40 or below."

The key roads in the North York Moors where sheep accidents are a problem include the north-south route from Castleton to Hutton le Hole and roads above Rosedale, Westerdale and Commondale. Although main roads across the moors are generally fenced, there is still a danger of stray sheep on the carriageway.