THE owner of a lamb reported stolen is ecstatic after it was returned safely following a mass social media appeal.

As reported by the Lancashire Telegraph on Monday, the lamb, called Horris, was believed to have been taken from stables in the Moor Lane area of Haslingden between 7pm on Saturday and 5pm on Sunday.

Appeals posted on social media sites were shared more than 1,500 times on Monday and Tuesday.

Now owner Jill Randalls is celebrating after she said the lamb was returned yesterday.

The 35-year-old, who lives in Burnley, said the eight-month-old lamb is as loved as any pet dog or cat.

Mrs Randalls said: “I’m absolutely ecstatic.

“I went up this morning to take a look around because of all the support we had on social media.

“I was having a walk on the moors and shouting his name.

“A group of sheep were walking around and we just saw him hanging around at the back of them.

“As soon as he saw me he came running back over.

“I’d been up there every day and there was no sign of him and no gaps in the fence.

“His twin brother had been crying out for him when he was gone.

“We think someone has taken him and then had a change a heart and returned him.

“We’re just so glad he’s home.”

Mrs Randalls saved the young lamb and his brother Morris from the slaughter in April, and had kept the pair as pets since.

Horris was one of 11 sheep kept at the stables and the owner said she did not know why only Horris had been targeted.

The sheep weighs roughly 40 kilos and has one small two inch horn.

He has a yellow tag to identify his chip in our ear and an orange owner tag in his other.

The appeal was shared across Facebook.

Police had also been informed and were investigating the incident.

A spokesman said: “We were called on Monday to reports a lamb had been stolen.

“We believe the lamb was taken over the weekend but it has now been found safe.”