Police are hunting a suspected trespasser on a rural railway line in Yorkshire - who hand-painted a sign warning of sheep on the tracks.

The bizarre sign, which reads 'slow - sheep on on line', was painted on the side of a wooden pallet on the Settle to Carlisle line.

British Transport Police's Lancashire division said the trespasser was seen on the railway just north of Horton-in-Ribblesdale in the Yorkshire Dales on Tuesday, April 5.

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When officers attended, they found the home-made sign which had placed beside the tracks of the mainline, which is used by freight trains and steam charters.

The hand-painted sign was made from a wooden pallet fixed to a metal barrier with cable ties.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The sign was secured by cable ties. Picture: British Transport PoliceThe sign was secured by cable ties. Picture: British Transport Police

It is unclear whether the culprit is a concerned farmer or a prankster, but the force appealed for information.

A spokesman said on Twitter: "Report of a trespasser on the line just north of Horton.

"We believe that this is what he was up to and we would quite like a chat with him.

"Anyone with information can #TextBTP on 61016 (quoting log 221 05/04/22)."