A GUNMAN is being hunted by police after a lamb was shot in through the eye near Chard leaving a family devastated and scared.

The baby sheep was shot dead with a high calibre rifle from outside the farm in Two Ash at around 6pm on March 28.

It is believed the shot was fired from the nearby cemetery on Two Ash Hill.

Now, Avon and Somerset police are appealing for help to track down the driver of a silver Land Rover Discovery, the owner of which could help with investigations.

The vehicle, which has been described as having tinted windows, very dirty alloys and a dent on one of the doors, was caught on CCTV around the time of the incident.

The owner of the lamb, who did not wish to be named, said: “We have got a massive holding by the A358 in the Two Ash area.

“Somebody has come to our property and shot one our lambs. It went right by our house.

“We were there about 6.30pm and it was still warm.

“A car was seen in the area at the time. It was a Land Rover discovery LR3 from between 2004 and 2009. The driver might have seen something or someone might have seen them and be able to help us.

“It is not just that we have lost one of our lambs. It is the thought that there is some mad person around who could do this.

“They were obviously quite a good shot because it was straight through the eye.

“It was a pet lamb of ours. The actual little lamb wasn’t worth a lot in money, but it could have been one of our kids.

“We believe it was shot from the Tatworth cemetery car park with a high-powered, centre fire rifle for which a specialist licence is required.

“Obviously it is concerning. My horses aren’t going to be going into that field any time soon.

“We have had to bump up the CCTV cameras just to put someone off trying it again. That is my biggest worry, is that somebody has done this and is going to get away with it and do it again.

“Security in general has been hugely improved.”

A spokesman for police said: “We are appealing for witnesses to an incident on March 28 at 6.28pm which led to the shooting of livestock, namely one lamb, at a farm in Two Ash.

“We are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed event or may have any information which could help us.”

Anyone with any information is advised to contact PC Alan Hollick at Chard police using crime reference number 5217068578.