POLICE were called to Collingbourne Ducis last Friday morning after reports of a ram raid at the village pub, The Blue Lion.

The offenders were not masked desperados but a quartet of Norfolk cross sheep that had made a break for freedom from their paddock at the pub after the ram, Jet, bashed his way through a sturdy wooden fence early in the morning.

However, the four sheep, which were pets at the pub, were unable to repeat the feat of the threatened Tamworth Two pigs that stayed on the loose for many days a few years ago.

After a few hours’ freedom all four sheep were recovered safely in neighbouring gardens and paddocks.

The Collingbourne Four, who came as lambs from the Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm last summer, were never in danger of the chop though.

Landlord Ian Crompton said: “They were getting a bit too much and we have been looking for a new home as we didn’t want to slaughter them after we have been looking after them for so long.”

Once they had tasted freedom the quartet broke out for a second time on Tuesday afternoon, but were swiftly rounded up.

Now the four have been sent packing to a new home at a farm park in Gloucestershire where they can live out the rest of their days without fear of mint sauce.