BIKERS said they were appalled by the brutal slaughter of a sheep following a rally at a remote country pub.

Police have arrested a 25-year-old man from Middlesbrough on suspicion of killing the sheep with a knife in the early hours of Saturday at the rally at the Strathmore Arms, in Holwick, Upper Teesdale.

More than 50 members of the Darlington and District branch of the Motorcycle Action Group were at the rally.

Club officials have said that none of its members were responsible for the incident.

The pub has a campsite for 75 people and it is believed someone climbed into a field next to the pub and stabbed a sheep to death.

One of the organisers of the rally, Ian Cook, from Holwick, said: "We're all appalled and disgusted by what has happened. It had been an excellent rally.

"I was the one who called the police when I heard of the offence and two of our club members will be giving evidence and we hope to secure a conviction.

"We all had a whip-round at the rally and at the pub and we will be writing and sending a donation to the farmer whose animal was killed."

Inspector Kevin Tuck, of Barnard Castle police, said: "A 25-year-old man from Middlesbrough has been arrested and released on police bail while the various offences are investigated.

"Police are taking this matter very seriously. Both a vet and a scene of crime officer were called to inspect the animal.

"Bikers at the rally have fully co-operated with police and are outraged at the alleged offence."

Samantha Hallimond, the landlady of the pub, declined to comment about the incident.