Sheep injured in Anglezarke moor fence vandalism
Vandals have damaged large areas of fencing on a Lancashire moor causing sheep to be injured, landowner United Utilities said.
The company has paid out about £10,000 to replace 2,000m (6,500ft) around Anglezarke reservoir.
Farmers on the land have reported sheep getting tangled in barbed wire and suffering nasty cuts after the fences were damaged and chopped down.
The fences are designed to stop sheep falling into and polluting the water.
Estate manager Neville Kidd said: "Our tenant farmers around Anglezarke and White Coppice are telling us that they are finding sheep with wire tangled in their coats, and nasty cuts where they have struggled to free themselves.
"It's distressing to see, and it's a direct result of the vandalism.
"These fences are there for a good reason, and they don't cause any harm to the animals until they are wilfully damaged.
"We actively encourage walkers and visitors to this beautiful area but everyone should follow the countryside code and leave the area as they found it."