THE farmer whose sheep were savaged by two runaway Rottweilers has awoken this morning to count the cost of the attack.

David Morphett, from Biddenden, said: "I have lost nine ewes and 18 lambs at the moment.

"There may be others yet. I found one wounded lamb, with a damaged jaw this morning."

The dogs escaped from their local owner yesterday morning and jumped the gate to a pen at Weeksland Farm, in Weeks Lane, where they found the 87 sheep at their mercy.

The dogs, who Mr Morphett managed to sequester in a corrugated pen, have since been put down by a vet with the owner's agreement. Police have said that they intend to prosecute.

Mr Morphett admitted to still feeling shocked when woke this morning. He added: "For me, this is another nail in the coffin. My pedigree flock was doing well and getting better, but now I'm not sure I have the enthusiasm to continue."

He is attempting to use an artifical milk feeder to sustain the surviving lambs.