More than thirty cows, lambs and goats have been stolen in a break-in at an equestrian centre.

Police said the animals were taken from the Carty Port Equestrian Centre near Newton Stewart, Dumfries and Galloway, sometime on the evening of Sunday April 29.

It came after a dead horse was found nearby earlier in the day and police are investigating whether there could be a connection.

Officers are appealing for information about the whereabouts of the ten cows, eleven black lambs and ten goats which were stolen in the raid.

Inspector Stewart McColm said: "Officers are dealing at this stage with what appears to be the theft of animals from the Carty Port Equestrian Centre near to Newton Stewart.

"We are also aware however about reports of a dead horse being found in the nearby area which has generated a great deal of social media activity around this matter.

"At this stage I am appealing for the public to contact police direct on our 101 number if they have any information which might assist us in this investigation, as opposed to only communicating about it on social media.

"Callers should use the 101 number and quote the reference number PDG 0089120418 when calling in."