FENCES which were cut by vandals have been repaired as a council prepares to introduce sheep at a nature reserve.

Vandals clipped the wire and daubed fences with graffiti ‘no sheep here’ in protest of the controversial plans near Ladies Mile in Brighton.

The fences have been repaired in preparation for the sheep which will imminently be put to graze on the land, on an as yet unconfirmed date.

Brighton and Hove City Council is finalising plans for this winter’s sheep grazing programme, with the first sheep set to arrive in a few weeks at Waterhall, Ladies Mile and Sheepcote Valley. The grazing programme is designed to keep the grassland under control.

Dog walkers and other users of the land were not satisfied with the council’s consultation about the sheep’s introduction, which council bosses said showed support for the plans.

The council is also appealing for volunteers willing to keep watch over the sheep. Search for shepherds on the www.brighton-hove.gov.uk website.