TWO rare breed goats that were reported stolen from a Lake District manor house attraction were on a 'day's excursion'.

Concerned members of the public raised the alarm after they believed two Bagot goats had been taken from the grounds of Levens Park on Saturday.

However, it became apparent that there was no 'kid-napping' after all, with the revelation that these were in fact pet goats out on a day trip.

In a post on Facebook, Levens Hall wrote: "It really is wonderful to know that so many of you take such an interest in this stunning Park.

"However, we have now managed to establish that, in actual fact, the goats were not Bagot goats, but incredibly, were pet goats, bought by car on a day's excursion to Levens Park!

"This is, of course, great news for Levens Hall, but it is just another thing to add to the list of completely unacceptable behaviour that we have had in Levens Deer Park, not only in recent weeks, but in general.

"The Bagot goats, in existence since before 1387, are classed as "vulnerable" by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, with only 200-300 breeding females remaining.

"They are naturally of a nervous disposition so human and canine disturbance is unacceptable to this significant herd."