POLICE are investigating how 12 sheep drowned in a stream last week.

The dead animals were discovered in the waterway in a field alongside the A361 Braunton Road between Pottington Industrial Estate and the Trelawney Garden Centre junction.

Police believe the animals died sometime between 4.30pm and 8.30pm on Friday, February 26.

PC Richard Preston said: "It's possible that a dog may have entered the field from the Tarka Trail and frightened the sheep, forcing them to run into the stream and subsequently drown.

"We'd like to speak to anyone who knows anything about a lost or missing dog in this area at the time of the incident."

Anyone with information can contact the police on 08452 777 444 quoting log number 446/270210.