Fifteen sheep have been killed after cruel youths forced their owner to remove them from their home.

The sheep had grazed in a churchyard as part of 200-year tradition at St James' Church in Freiston near Boston, Lincolnshire.

But in the past year the current flock has been taunted by youths who left the animals traumatised.

In one incident, broken glass was put in the sheep's water trough.

New pasture

Now their owner, Jenny Hampstead, has removed the rare Lincoln Longwool herd from their traditional grazing patch.

However, she has also had to cull 15 of the animals because there is not enough room for them all on the new pasture.

Ms Hampstead said: "People loved the sheep here. They used to come and bring the children and grandchildren to see them - to see the lambs at Easter.

"They used to really enjoy looking at nature.

"With the reduced grazing we have had to have quite a few of the sheep culled.

"It was like losing old friends."

'Deeply traumatised'

Many villagers have been dismayed by the removal of the sheep.

The Reverend Teri Stott, said: "I think the village has been deeply traumatised that it has had to get rid of the sheep and in the way that we had to do it."

She was disappointed that a tradition of the village has been lost.

"I just cannot understand how young people that are from a rural background can actually be that cruel."