POLICE have launched an appeal following acts of "disgraceful cruelty" against sheep in the Coedpoeth area of Wrexham this weekend.

The rural crime division of North Wales Police posted a string of messages to social media about three incidents described as "disgraceful cruelty" which ended with a lamb found dead with its tongue and ears cut off.

In the first post, officers appeal for anyone that may know boys that are believed to be aged between 12 and 15 that are believed to be linked to the incidents.

The boys were first caught tying a sheep to a fence and, when disturbed, said they said they were going to "shave it" before escaping.

A second incident saw a group of teens chasing a sheep with a rope and also making attempts to tie it down. The police added that, luckily, a member of the public intervened on that occasion.

A third, and final, incident sadly saw the discovery of two dead lambs - one having its ears cut off and tongue removed, according to police.

A spokesman for the team said: "We are investigating three appalling separate incidents reported over the weekend in the Coedpoeth area of Wrexham. The first involved three boys aged 12-15yrs of age caught tying a sheep to a fence. When disturbed they said they were going to 'shave it' before running off.

"The second incident involved boys chasing a sheep with a rope and again tying it down before the public intervened. The third involved the finding of two dead lambs with one having had its ears cut off and tongue removed. Disgraceful cruelty!"

Rob Taylor, NWP Rural team manager, added: "This is disgraceful behaviour and these boys need catching. Anyone who has any info to call 101. We need the public's help."