A community has expressed "great sadness" after the death of a young ewe lamb.
Winnie the wheelchair sheep had "won the hearts of many" after being gifted her very own wheelchair wheels when two of her back legs stopped working.
But after adapting well to her cart wheels, the March-born spring lamb - who was being cared for by a team of parishoners as community shepherds - sadly had to be put down last Friday.
It comes just weeks after the national spotlight had been shone on Winnie the wheelchair sheep - as the young Suffolk lamb met up with the flock at the clifftop All Saints & St Margaret's Church in Pakefield, Lowestoft for the first time last month.
The Pakefield community was informed of the death of Winnie by the Rector of Pakefield Church, Rev Sharon Lord.
With the Pakefield sheep taking centre stage capturing the attention of crowds of onlookers as they walk past the churchyard for many years, two new March-born spring lambs - Winnie and Roo - were set to join the flock to help keep the grass in check.
While Roo has now joined Rodney - a Suffolk Ram - and three Soay sheep called Poppy, Skye and Sparkle - in the churchyard flock, Winnie had been cared for over recent weeks after a deficiency and hindlimb paralysis was discovered in her back legs.
The rare breed Suffolk lamb Winnie - who was aged between 15 and 17-weeks-old when she was collected - sadly woke up with no use of her back legs around a week after arriving in Pakefield.
But after being fitted with 'cart wheels', and thanks to the support of animal charity Winston’s Wheels, Winnie "was able to live her best life" with her specially designed wheels and help from the community shepherds, who have now been left "heartbroken" by her death.
In a message to the Pakefield community, Rev Sharon Lord said: "It is with great sadness that we have to announce the death of Winnie our sheep on wheels.
"As you will all know Winnie arrived with us and her sister Roo in June as a lamb.
"Not long after she came to be part of our little flock of Pakefield sheep we noticed that her back legs were no longer working.
"With the help and support of the animal charity Winston’s Wheels she was able to live her best life, with her specially designed wheels.
"This enabled her to walk around and forage for tasty flowers, leaves and grass.
"She won the hearts of many, adults and children alike, with her tenacity of spirit and determination.
"On Friday it became obvious to her carers that she was struggling and was in pain, so the very difficult but kindest decision to say goodbye to her was made."
The church thanked their farm veterinarian at Three Rivers, and Winston’s Wheels "for all their knowledge and expertise in helping us care for Winnie and giving her the best life we possibly could."
With Roo having now joined "our flock in the churchyard" and is "settling in well," Katey Mills, who is the children, youth and families minister at Pakefield Church, said: "We are all heartbroken.
"We have loved every second of the time we had with you Winnie.
"You taught us all so much, and made everybody you met smile.
"Thank you for the best seven weeks, having a stable in the garden has been awesome.
"You had so much more to offer the world but your little body was failing and we wouldn't let you suffer.
"Run free now, join God's flock in the pastures of heaven."
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