POLICE suspect animal rights activists are behind an attack at a farm near Kendal, which could have caused a serious motorway accident.

The offender(s) cut through fences and pushed down a stonewall at the Gatebeck farm, sometime between Thursday night (May 24) and Friday morning, releasing several wild boar into a field adjoining the M6.

Police said that only "good fortune" had prevented the powerful animals from forcing their way on to the nearby carriageway, causing a serious collision.

Two tractors at the farm had tyres slashed.

Meanwhile, the same night, The Highwayman public house, at Burrow, near Kirkby Lonsdale - which has wild boar on its menu -had graffiti sprayed across the building, windows smashed and car tyres slashed in the car park.

Police think both attacks could be linked.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Cumbria Police on 0845-3300247.