THE flock of 23 Severnside sheep killed at Stroat last month were bludgeoned to death.

No evidence has been found to suggest the animals were shot, said farmer Willie Guest, of Wyvern Farm, Woolaston.

"It looks as though they were just beaten to death. It makes the whole thing seem even worse. A man with a gun might have killed the lot in a couple of minutes but it would have taken an age to kill so many with a hammer or whatever tool was used," he said.

Mr Guest found 16 dead sheep in the isolated Severnside field. A number of others were clinging to life and had to be put down and two more died from their injuries. In all he lost 23.

There was widespread speculation the animals had been shot but this has not been proved.

At the time Mr Guest said he was open-minded about how the sheep had died.

"In each case their heads were caved in and it takes a lot to crush the forehead of a sheep," he said.

"One thing they are certain of is that they were not killed by another animal," said Mr Guest.

"All we can say is that they met an unnatural end. There appears to be no evidence and not a single clue about what happened down there.

"It is a mile from anywhere and a place where you rarely see anyone. It's a bit disturbing to think there could be someone out there who could do anything like it," he said.

A police spokesman has confirmed the animals were bludgeoned.

Tests have revealed no entry or exist wounds which would have pointed to a gun being used and all the animals died from blows to the head.

There are no secondary cuts to suggest that dogs were used in any way.

Police investigations are continuing and they are anxious to hear from anyone with information about the incident.

Anyone who can help should contact the police on 0845 090 1234.