The farmer of four cows at large in the north Norfolk countryside has warned members of the public not to approach the animals for fear they could go on they rampage.

Terry Sanderson said the bovine breakaways are most likely grazing on woodland between Heacham and Hunstanton after breaking free from a field on Wednesday.

However both he and police said they could not be sure where the creatures were, leading to fears that they could turn up in a residential area and cause destruction.

“The worst thing that can happen is people interfering with them,” Mr Sanderson said. “They don’t like that. They’re best left alone otherwise they get quite angry.”

A spokesman for Norfolk Police said the animals should not be approached and that and anyone seeing the stray bulls should call the force on 101.

Two other cows that escaped with the herd on Wednesday have already caused carnage in Heacham, with one bullock smashing his way through a glass patio door at residential property in Station Road and causing substantial damage to the lounge.

Ron Clark, 63, who lives in a bungalow directly behind the property in Station Road, said he thought he was seeing things when the cow appeared in his back garden.

Mr Clark then described his shock as the bullock charge through a gap between two sheds towards the patio door.

With firearms officers on standby ready to take out the cow if necessary, it eventually calmed down and was coaxed onto a trailer by Mr Sanderson where it was taken back to his farm at Heacham South Beach, safely locked away from members of the public.

However the other cow had to be be shot by a farm worker after it attacked Mr Sanderson, leaving him with bad cuts to his arm.

Mr Sanderson later described that cow as the “ringleader” who had caused the other animals to scarper.

The 65-year-old said: “I have been farming all my life. Cows have escaped before but nothing as bad as this.

“We haven’t heard anything from them. A friend and I have been out looking for them but it is like looking for a needle in a haystack.”