Vandals have committed a particularly unpleasant crime at lonely Balsdean Farm on downland behind Rottingdean village.

They separated new-born lambs from their mothers and left them to die in fields the ewes could not reach.

No one knows at the moment if this was a mindless crime or whether someone was trying to make a point about the farming of animals.

Whatever reason the vandals had, it was a nasty offence causing anguish to the ewes, the farmer and all animal lovers.

Anyone who may have spotted someone suspicious on the farm, which has easy public access, should call the police and help them catch the culprits.

Bird brain