Sheep eat Rawtenstall plants ahead of Britain in Bloom

Civic Pride in Rossendale a voluntary organisation and registered charity “dedicated to making Rossendale a cleaner and greener” says volunteers spent hours rounding up the sheep, who have been eating plants and “ruining the hard work” volunteers do for the town.

This is ahead of the Britain in Bloom competition later this month when Rawtenstall will represent the North West.

Civic Pride Rossendale is fed up of sheep destroying plants in Rawtenstall (Image: Civic Pride Rossendale)

The national competition will take place on August 3.

A spokesperson for Civic Pride in Rossendale said: “[In June] our volunteers were so fed up with the sheep roaming around the town, causing damage to the plants.

“Action was required and they did a magnificent job of rounding them up and contacting a local farmer to collect them.

Civic Pride Rossendale is fed up of sheep destroying plants in Rawtenstall (Image: Civic Pride Rossendale)

“It took hours of valuable time to achieve this but we were happy to think the issue was over.

“Regrettably more have returned.”

A spokesperson said the sheep have eaten hundreds of pounds worth of plants and have also posed a danger to motorists on the road.

Roaming sheep in Rawtenstall have also been causing chaos on the roads (Image: Civic Pride Rossendale)

A spokesperson said: “The sheep aren't just ruining all the hard work Civic Pride volunteers do for the town.

“As the council provides some of the plants for Civic Pride, the sheep are eating voluntary donations and council tax money.

“There have been reports of many near misses with cars on our busy roads and we are concerned a major accident could happen soon.

“Statutory authorities have been contacted but there seems to be little they can do.

“We have been told by someone who keeps sheep, by law every sheep should have a tag with a registration number which can be traced to the owner.”

Volunteers told the Lancashire Telegraph  they are “keeping their fingers crossed” the sheep don’t return before the Britain in Bloom competition on August 3.

Janet Allcock, publicity officer, said: “We are really on the final countdown now to judging in the July 22 for the north west competition and August 3 for the national competition.

“I'm sure you will agree that the work undertaken by the volunteers is making Rawtenstall look amazing.

“We are so pleased to see many of our local businesses along the route decorating their windows to show support and to enter the window dressing competition

“Come along and see Rawtenstall looking great.”

The 2023 entry will be based on sunflowers, slippers and sparrows to reflect blooms, industrial history and wildlife.