A MAN has been killed by cows while walking at Ribblehead.

The 82-year-old man was with his elderly wife and were walking their dogs in a field near the viaduct.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said the incident was 'tragic' and occurred just before 2pm on Saturday. He said it appeared the cows were protecting their calves.

The man died at the scene and his wife was taken to Lancaster Royal Infirmary by ambulance suffering from shock. She is not thought to be seriously injured.

The air ambulance service was also called because of the remote location.

A police statement read: "An 82-year-old man from Foulridge, Pendle, sadly died yesterday after being attacked by a herd of cows.

"The man and his wife were walking at Ivescar, Ingleton, when the incident happened at around 1.45pm. 

"Emergency services attended and sadly the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

"The woman, aged 78, was badly bruised and taken to Royal Lancaster Infirmary by air ambulance."

A woman posting on a social media site whose husband witnessed the attack has warned dog walkers to be aware that cows can attack dogs while protecting their calves.

The poster tells people to 'let their dogs go' if they find themselves in this situation.