A FARMER who left dozens of animal carcasses rotting on his land has been ordered to carry out 200 hours of community service.

James Lowe, aged 30, of Holts Farm, Bromley Cross, pleaded guilty to failing to dispose of animal by-products, when he appeared at Bolton Magistrates Court yesterday.

The court heard that Trading Standards' officers, who visited the 98-acre farm in May following a complaint from a member of the public, found 23 calf and sheep corpses in various states of decay.

Some appeared to have died recently, others were just skeletons.

Several of the carcasses were found near a public footpath.

Officers were unable to make contact with Lowe and discovered more dead livestock at the farm on a second visit carried out a few days later.

After repeated attempts to contact Lowe, the carcasses were eventually removed from the land in September.

Lowe told magistrates: "I am very embarrassed about the situation. I did not realise there were that many carcasses.

"It was a very busy time for me. I was in the middle of trying to build a house and it was lambing time.

"I am reducing my workload to make sure nothing like this happens again."

Imposing a 10-week prison sentence suspended for a year, and a 200-hour community service order, chairman of the bench Brian Rodden said: "This case has shown up a shocking lack of attention and a total neglect of your animals and we find that unacceptable. This is a very serious offence and it is right that a custodial sentence is considered.

"However, this is your first offence and you have shown remorse."

Lowe was also ordered to pay £586.27 in costs.