A livestock farmer has been left counting the cost after more than 200 sheep were stolen from their land.

Police said the incident happened between Friday, March 22 and Monday, April 8, on fields along the A37 near Dorchester.

Officers said 211 sheep were stolen, which were mainly Suffolk, Texan and cross breeds.

Each sheep is valued at £95, bringing the total loss to more than £20,000. The sheep tag numbers involved are 230336 and 341825.

James Cossins, chairman of the Dorset National Farmer's Union, said: "Livestock theft has been an ongoing problem in rural areas and it seems Dorset is targeted at this time of year.

"It's difficult to keep livestock completely secure, especially when they're out grazing. Farmers are doing what we can to make it difficult to get into fields.

"To take 200 sheep or lambs, the people must have known what they were doing and they must have some end market for them.

"Fortunately in Dorset we have a good rural crime team who work hard on farmers' behalf and investigate these problems to hopefully stop them happening again."

In June last year, Dorset Police's rural crime team warned that organised criminal gangs were behind a sharp increase in sheep rustling across Dorset. It followed a spate of livestock thefts across the county last spring, including the theft of 25 ewes and 45 lambs from a field near Dorchester in April.

Officers investigating the livestock theft from land near the A37 are now appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.

Police Constable Matthew Brennan, of Dorchester police, said: "This theft, as with many crimes in our rural community, has had a big impact on the victim.

"We are carrying out a number of enquiries to find those responsible.

"I am appealing to anyone who has any information about the theft to please contact us.

"We would also urge farmers and members of the rural community to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity they encounter.

"For more information on how to protect your livestock visit www.dorset.police.uk/help-advice-crime-prevention/rural-crime/."

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting occurrence number 55190052667.