Farmers Babette and Tom Rea are distraught after 50 of their sheep were killed today.

Mrs Rea discovered the corpses at Streat Hill Farm, between Westmeston and Plumpton, near Lewes, this morning.

She said some of the young sheep had had their throats ripped out and were found together in a corner of the field.

Mrs Rea, 45, believes dogs were responsible for the attack on her sheep.

She said: "My husband has gone round picking up the corpses. It's horrific. Many of the animals suffocated because they had pressed against the gate, trying to get away.

"This is a terrible thing. People just don't realise the carnage dogs can create."

The couple called the police at 9.30am and officers were sent to the scene. It is not known where the dogs came from.

Babette and her husband have been running the farm for 20 years and look after 800 sheep.

Police are investigating.