Four rare Shropshire sheep due to be shown off at a village hotel have been marooned in Yorkshire – after an attack by flies made them semi-bald.
Ed and Hannah Hall, who run the Wroxeter Hotel, had planned to bring in the sheep, which are an unclassified breed of Shropshire sheep – to the county over the summer to show off to guests, and built a paddock in advance.
Their first attempt ended in failure when the flock was isolated in a bluetongue restriction zone in Northamptonshire.
More sheep were sourced from Yorkshire – only to have most of their fleece disappear days before they were due to arrive. It is now hoped the sheep will be able to travel to Wroxeter and get settled in before Christmas.
When the animals eventually arrive, their wool will be used by Flock of Ages, a one woman business which uses the Shropshire sheep’s unusual black wool to knit handmade gifts and textiles as normal white wool is difficult to dye black. The unusual quartet – due to be named after famous Shropshire people – will be kept as pets.
