SHEEP found roaming across a busy Worcester road could have caused a major accident.

About 10 animals, which graze on land at Grove Farm, St John's, Worcester, broke away from the main flock on Friday afternoon, escaped through broken fencing, and wandered on to the A44 Bromyard Road - stopping traffic and causing chaos.

Councillor Margaret Layland came across the bizarre scene on her way home on Thursday and helped drive the livestock out of harm's way to a nearby garden.

"There obviously could have been a serious accident here," said Coun Layland.

"The sheep were actually in the middle of the A44 as I came home. Pressure should be put on the land owner to improve the fencing as the current situation is totally unacceptable."

The sheep graze on land owned by Spenhill Developments - the development subsidiary of supermarket giant Tesco - it's not the first time they've had a bad press.

Earlier this month your Worcester News reported how they had stripped the bark from a number of protected fruit trees on the site, killing them.

Following their latest escapade, they were ushered into Meadowbank Drive, where they were kept until a farmer took them back into the field.

Meadowbank Drive resident Lessa Laird, who called the police when she arrived on the scene, said it was case of I told you so'.

"I came from work about 1pm and saw them all over the road," she said.

"About a week earlier the sheep were round the back of my house, at the end of Meadowbank Drive, and I e-mailed Spenhill Developments.

"I said it was only a matter of time before they reached the road. Plus there's quite a quagmire down there and they could have got trapped."

A spokesman for Spenhill, the development subsidiary of supermarket giant Tesco, said he had repeatedly told the farmer to ensure the animals were enclosed.

"We own the site but rent the area to a farmer. Tesco and Spenhill have no responsibility for fencing. When I was told I informed the estate manager who called the farmer. I understand he has now removed all the sheep from the site."

Mrs Laird, a member of Grove Farm Residents Voice, the campaign group opposed to a business park being built on the land, said she feared the sheep could escape again if they were returned to the field.

"That is a major concern for us all," she said.

Your Worcester News was unable to contact the farmer at the time of going to press.