A FARMER has appealed for help after 23 prize sheep were stolen from his Ribble Valley farm.

Michael Cornthwaite, whose family run Closes Hall Farm in Stump Cross Lane, Bolton-by-Bowland, said the livestock were worth up to £160 each.

The theft comes as Lancashire's police and crime commissioner threw his weight behind a new project aimed at documenting the impact of rural crime.

Mr Cornthwaite, 55, said he had been a farmer his whole life and never experienced such a theft before.

He said: "Initially we though the sheep had just gone missing as they like to wander. They were pregnant at the time so that could be something to do with it.

"After a while we realised they weren't coming back and contacted the wildlife officer. We have cattle, sheep and horses up here and nothing like this has ever happened. It's really disappointing."

Mr Cornthwaite runs the farm on rented land with his wife, Julie, his daughter, Diane, and his son, Chris.

The 23 Texel-cross and mule ewes absence was reported to police on Monday.

PC Nigel Keates, a rural crime officer for Lancashire police, said: "The lambs were tagged with the number UK182599.

"If you have any information please call 101 and quote Lancashire police log number 924 of June 15 and spread the word within the rural community network."

Mr Cornthwaite said it was unlikely that the sheep would be returned to his farm.

He said: "I don't hold out much hope of them being handed back. They are marked with a green line over the loin.

"I've never had this problem before but I have spoken to other farmers who have had it bad. Last spring was particularly bad."

Clive Grunshaw. the county's police and crime commissioner, has urged rural residents to take part in the largest ever survey into policing, crime and anti-social behaviour in the countryside.

He said: "If you live or work in a rural part of Lancashire this is a great opportunity to raise concerns about crime in your area and to provide feedback on local policing.

"A greater understanding of the issues concerning our rural communities will ensure that we can better address them in the future. I would urge you to take part in the survey to make sure that the outcomes reflect your views."

The survey, run by the National Rural Crime Network is available at www.nationalruralcrimenetwork.net/survey until June 24.