Stranded lamb resc-ewed after two days on M1

Traffic officer Elliot Flynn with the rescued lamb, which was nicknamed Gappy

A traffic officer has saved a stranded female lamb from the central reservation of the M1.

Her rescuer said the lamb – nicknamed ‘Gappy’ - was so dirty that it was difficult to spot against the safety barrier south of Watford Gap Services near Daventry, Northamptonshire.

Elliott Flynn, from the Highways England's Shepshed outstation, slowed traffic to find the frightened creature.

Several patrols had tried to locate the stranded lamb earlier in the day.

Tim Lea, a traffic officer, gave "Gappy" some warm milk

The lamb was hungry and tired, having spent two days next to high speed traffic, and seemed happy to be rescued.

Mr Flynn said: “As I walked over, the lamb came straight over to me and started cuddling up against my leg so I was able to pick her up and get her to safety.

"People in the stopped traffic were clapping and cheering when they saw what I was doing.”

Re-ewe-united

Mr Flynn then drove with his unlikely travel companion to the nearby Watford Gap police station and gave the lamb some warm milk.

Having grown up on a farm, he knew the lamb’s mother would have a matching number on her.

So he drove to the field where the runaway was thought to have escaped from, and found a sheep with the same number.

"The mum was there, with another newborn, and as soon as she saw her lost lamb she was licking her to get it clean and then Gappy started feeding," Mr Flynn said.

"We were so pleased to reunite her with her mum.”

Once ewe and lamb were reunited, the farmer was notified so he could get 'Gappy' checked over. There were no signs of any injuries.