A GATE deliberately left open at a North Yorkshire beauty spot resulted in the death of seven sheep after they wandered out and were poisoned.

The manager of East Moor Farm near Pickering said he was having to pay thousands for “someone’s carelessness” after the gates to the field were tied and propped open.

The seven animals, valued at £2,500, strayed into nearby woodland on the North York Moors and are believed to have been poisoned after eating ivy or rhododendron.

Mike Cleasby, who was keeping the sheep on his farm over the winter, said: “To deliberately tie open a gate in a field where livestock are kept just beggars belief.

“Not only am I out of pocket for the sheep but I’ve also had to pay to get them taken away and disposed of. This is a case of the good old farmer paying once more for someone’s carelessness.”

Mr Cleasby has now put a poster at the gate showing the dead sheep and reminding people of the importance of closing gates behind them.

The incident, which happened on February 28, has also prompted a reminder from National Park officials for people to remember the Countryside Code, which says gates should be left as they are found.

Mr Cleasby said: “We want people to enjoy the North York Moors, but they do need to be mindful that it is a working landscape and actions such as propping gates open can affect others’ livelihoods.

“The stunning scenery and extensive network of tracks and trails don’t happen by chance and farmers and landowners play a big part in looking after the National Park.

“We would urge people to follow the Countryside Code when out and about in the North York Moors.”