MANX loaghtan sheep have been bred successfully on Jersey and are being used as part of a land management scheme on the island.
A 70-strong flock of the distinctive four-horned sheep have returned to Jersey's north coast having been chosen because they are similar to the extinct Jersey breed. The loaghtans were imported from from the Isle of Man last year.
The original flock of 20 pregnant ewes were brought at a cost of ?10,000 by the National Trust for Jersey to keep down gorse on coastal areas.
They were successfully bred on Jersey using rams flown in by the RAF, resulting in 30 lambs.
A National Trust spokesman said bringing the sheep to the island was paid for through sponsorship and funds from the Countryside Renewal Scheme.
He said that, as the flock swells, its day-to-day upkeep will be paid for through the sale of rams for meat and through wool being used to make gifts locally.
The original Jersey flock provided fine wool, which was made into stockings and "jerseys", but was phased out in the 1600s in favour of plumper breeds.
Photo: A Manx loaghtan
on the Calf of Man (Bill Dale)
