FOUR sheep were crushed to death when a trailer they were travelling in overturned.

The accident happened at the junction of the A260 Canterbury Road, with the Alkham Valley, at Folkestone, on Wednesday. There were 120 sheep on board the trailer.

The others were not hurt. The sheep were travelling locally. They were not being exported.

RSPCA spokesman Klare Kennett said: "People have been saying that sheep were shot at the scene. But we did not shoot any sheep. They were already dead when we got there."

Ch Insp Pat Hamby and Insp Cathy Youngman, from the RSPCA, attended the scene. The remaining sheep were taken off the trailer and to a nearby field, where they were expected to remain for the rest of the day. Miss Kennett said: "The sheep were safe and well. They were not put back on the vehicle."