[Sticks]

From the Daily Telegraph

Marcus the sheep has been slaughtered after the failure of last ditch attempts to win a reprieve

The animal was reared by pupils of Lydd Primary School but the school council voted to turn him into lamb chops to complete a project on the origins of food.

Andrea Charman, the school's headteacher, rejected promises of a home for the animal from a number of animal sanctuaries and national newspapers - and from chat show host Paul O'Grady, who already has 11 sheep at his nearby property.

She also braved a storm of criticism from parents on Facebook and in the media.

Marcus, who is understood to be with an agricultural contractor, was one of three bought for pupils to rear.

Ms Charman said the aim was to educate children about the food cycle, and that she had received support from parents, other schools with farms and the general public.

She said in a statement on Saturday: "Since the Wether lamb arrived, it has always been made clear in a tactful and factual way that lambs are meat.

"The children have had a range of opportunities to discuss this issue, both in terms of the food cycle and the ethical aspect.

"Children from Years 2 and above were given the opportunity to choose what happened to the Wether lamb.

"It was made clear that it could be kept as a pet, or sold to go for meat to raise money for the school farm to buy more animals. It was discussed in School Council. Each class had the opportunity to discuss it.

"The following week the children voted by an overwhelming majority for the lamb to be sold for meat.

"When we started the farm the aim was to educate the children in all aspects of a farm and everything that that implies."

Oh well Marcus chops anyone?