CATTLE worth £6,000 have been stolen from a County Durham farm.

Police were called to the farm, at High Etherley, Bishop Auckland, after the farmer reported the theft of four Aberdeen Angus cows.

The animals, used for breeding, went missing between November 1 and 12.

One is a pedigree beast and valued at £3,000, while the other three are worth £3,000 in total.

PC Heather Fenwick said all the cows bear identification numbers.

“It would be difficult for anyone to sell or dispose of these animals without raising suspicion,” she added.

Anyone with information regarding the theft or the whereabouts of the animals is asked to contact police at Bishop Auckland on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555-111.