READERS were left outraged after a farmer reported witnessing a family chase and corner a heavily-pregnant ewe for the purpose of taking 'selfies' with it.

The ewe belongs to Harry Place Farm, near Chapel Stile in the Langdale valley.

“They said they didn’t know they were in lamb - but that’s not the point,” said a spokesman for the farm.

He said the family began filming him because he was shouting at them when he went to tell them to stop.

The incident occurred over the weekend.

Readers of The Westmorland Gazette had their say after seeing the news.

Julia Binstead said: "Let’s hope these people go back to the shops and pubs and to whatever they were doing before Covid as there are, unfortunately, walkers out there at the moment who have no respect for the countryside and think nothing of discarding their rubbish everywhere as, of course, someone else will pick it up for them."

Robert Burrow said: "What is wrong with some people?

"They have no respect, they only think about themselves."

Sue Stelfox said: "Hope the next one they try it with is a tup!"

Nathan Wilson said: "Staggering levels of ignorance. The bottom line though must surely be: it’s not your animal and it’s not your land!"

Darren Pearson said: "Disgusting behaviour and proves that nobody actually cares enough about others and their possessions."

Sarah Barratt said: "I’m not surprised, I caught two adults shouting at and chasing our sheep.

"Luckily, I was in the next field so could stop them."

Helen Robertson said: "I hope they release the video then and get the backlash they deserve.

"Also, farm animals are dangerous... why would you approach them?"

Margaret James-Barber said: "We need people to understand and respect farming."

Laura Brockbank said: "It’s not just dogs that need to be on a lead around livestock!"