The National Farmers' Union has urged dog owners to be "extra vigilant" ahead of an anticipated rise in countryside visits over Easter.

Sheep and lambs are particularly vulnerable to attacks from dogs, which could increase over the holiday.

This follows last year's estimated £331,000 cost of dog attacks on livestock, increasing almost six per cent from the previous year.

Hannah Binns, NFU Mutual Rural Affairs Specialist, said: "People must remember these idyllic rural destinations are working environments, key to farmers’ livelihoods and home to millions of sheep and new-born lambs."