SHEEP were welcomed back to Therfield Heath in June after more than four years. The 120 Dorset sheep returned to Church Hill – a pasture at the top of the heath. Edward Darling, chairman of the conservators of Therfield Heath, said: It s been a long time

SHEEP were welcomed back to Therfield Heath in June after more than four years.

The 120 Dorset sheep returned to Church Hill - a pasture at the top of the heath.

Edward Darling, chairman of the conservators of Therfield Heath, said: "It's been a long time and there's been a number of difficulties, but we are looking forward to having the sheep there for the foreseeable future."

The herd is kept in an electric fence which can be moved to other areas, and a five-bar gate which has permanent foundations also keeps the sheep secure.

The plan was for the sheep to gradually move more towards Royston once people became accustomed to putting their dogs on leads.

The previous time sheep grazed on the heath was in February 2000 just before the outbreak of foot and mouth disease.