MORE than 60 sheep reported stolen from land near Beeston Castle have been found.

Last week we reported that police were investigating the alleged theft from a field in Crimes Lane on February 7.

A total of 63 sheep, understood to be pregnant ewes valued at £9,000, had been reported stolen.

However, it turns out that no theft had occurred and the sheep had actually escaped with a number being found in a field nearly a mile away.

Some had also been returned to the original field.

PC Jim Clark, of Cheshire Police Rural Crime Team, said: "An update re my post earlier on in the week regarding the allegation of sheep theft.

"It appears the field that was believed to be sheep escape proof wasn't so!

"A number of the sheep had been returned to the field not long after the owner had discovered them missing and the remainder had taken up temporary residence in a field almost a mile away.

"It is good to know that the livestock haven't actually been taken and no crime has occurred, however with that in mind we will still continue to proactively stop vehicles carrying livestock day or night and we would urge you to contact the police should you see or notice anything suspicious on or around your farms."