Bullock on loose in town for 11 days after escape

A bullock that escaped from a farm has been on the run in a town for 11 days.

The 14-month-old limousin escaped from Fulshaw Head farm in Barrowford, Lancashire, at about 07:30 BST on 14 May.

There have been reported sightings in nearby Nelson, and the animal has been caught on CCTV in the town.

Farmer Graham Coates, 64, told the BBC there had been a report of it grazing on someone's lawn in the middle of the night.

Mr Coates said: "It's been very stressful."

"We're worried for the animal, it will be scared to death.

"It isn't used to seeing so many people, and people with dogs as well, it will be scared of them."

Mr Coates said the animal had been let out onto a field for the first time after the winter, and was one of several cattle that "galloped" excitedly to a far corner.

He said they "just couldn't stop in time" and crashed through a fence into the back garden of a house.

Two of the herd escaped onto Sandyhall Lane and then onto Carr Hall Road, with one later found in a local park.

But the young bullock remains at large.

Mr Coates' partner, Gill Todd, said there had been sightings in Nelson on Monday night into Tuesday.

It appeared to come into contact with a car on Hibson Road in the town, and was later spotted on CCTV footage close to Walverden Park.

Mr Coates urged anyone who spotted the bullock not to approach it and to contact the authorities.

Lancashire Police said it had been notified but the escape was "not a police matter".

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas to [email protected]