A small town in New Zealand has staged its own version of the running of the bulls - using sheep.

Nearly two thousand of the fleecy animals raced along the streets of Te Kuiti in the North Island on Sunday.

Although the woolly version is tamer than the Spanish event, the local Mayor, Mark Ammon, said there were nonetheless risks of breakaway sheep causing damage to the town's property.

"The odd shop window broken, council gardens trampled, we're a bit worried they might get on the highway and go to Taupo or Wellington," Mr Ammon said.

Te Kuiti - which calls itself the sheep capital of the world - was filled with spectators of all ages who lined the streets to watch the sheep running.

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