Traffic makes way for sheep herd

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/devon/8228495.stm

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Traffic came to a standstill in a Devon town when an ancient right to drive sheep through the town was exercised.

Topsham's newest alderman, Mary Evans, 76, herded five sheep with the help of farmer Victor Pitt to cheers from a hundreds of people at the town's fayre.

The ancient right has not been used for many years in Topsham, near Exeter.

But when Mrs Evans was told her of right at the announcement of her role in 2008, she said: "I'd like to have a go at that."

Organiser and friend Nicholas Toyne told BBC News: "She was cock-a-hoop when she heard that we had arranged for her to herd some sheep.

"It's brought even more people into the town for the fayre which raises money for local charities."