Train tickets advertised by livestock

Thetrainline.com has taken an unusual tack in its advertising campaign by using sheep as live billboards.

The mutton marketeers roam the fields alongside the Gatwick Airport to Reading line, dressed in high-visibility jackets with the company logos affixed.

The company has advertised through conventional channels in the past offering customers a chance to save up to 43 per cent on its train fares.

The latest TV advert saw 40 sheep filmed at New Zealand's Wellington Station. The animals instructed to baa by the handler behind the Hollywood blockbuster Babe.

Marketing director at trainline.com, Iain Hildreth, said: "Using sheep as billboards felt like an interesting and attention-grabbing area to explore, especially since sheep are featured so prominently in our advertising."