TAGS designed to keep track of stray sheep have become the height of fashion in New York.

The ear tags, designed by North Yorkshire's Ritchey-id and used by farmers to help identify their flock, have been exhibited as part of a fashion collection of sweaters.

Dutch designer Christien Meindertsma showcased the sweaters, knitted from wool supplied by a flock of sheep in Wales, at the Dyckman Farmhouse Museum, in Manhatten.

The Ritchey-id's tags were attached to each sweater, with the identification number of the sheep that provided the wool.

Phil Davison, of Ritchey-id, said: "It was one of the more unusual requests we have had, but I am pleased that Christien's little enterprise was successful.

"We don't often get these sorts of requests, but I'm glad we went along with it because it had other impacts - it helped to develop our skills. You couldn't have invented something like this, it just came out of the blue, but it was a huge success."