TRIBUTES have been paid to a woman killed by stampeding cattle as she walked her dogs on a footpath.Sandra Pearce, from Worlingham near Beccles, died in the freak accident on Sunday afternoon at South Elmham Hall, near Bungay.

TRIBUTES have been paid to a woman killed by stampeding cattle as she walked her dogs on a footpath.

Sandra Pearce, from Worlingham near Beccles, died in the freak accident on Sunday afternoon at South Elmham Hall, near Bungay. She is believed to have been aged 45 and worked as a probation officer at Blundeston prison.

Ms Pearce had lived in Mutford before moving to neighbouring Worlingham.

Mutford resident Maureen Townsend, who knew Ms Pearce, said: “It is very sad, she was a quiet but friendly woman.

“We are farmers ourselves and have cattle, and all we can think is that her dogs must have worried the cows and Sandra got in the way.”

It is understood that her father lives in Ipswich.

Health and safety officials are now investigating the death. The hall and farm is a popular with walkers and nature lovers and for its café and restaurant. Ms Pearce was stampeded by the herd of cows in the field near to the car park.

A spokesman from the Health and Safety Executive said: “The HSE is looking into whether this is a work- related incident, and from the initial inquiries will decide whether a full HSE investigation will be launched.”

Although the dogs were on leads at the start of the walk, they were not wearing leads after the attack. It is not clear whether the owner had already taken them off the lead or had released them for her own safety once the cows started to threaten her.