COWS have been let loose on a meadow in Worcester as part of an annual conservation exercise.

The 13-strong herd of hand-reared cattle have been released on Ronkswood Hill Meadows and are allowed free rein on the local nature reserve site to help preserve grassland and wild flowers.

The initiative, ran by Worcester City Council, is designed to act as a natural and cost-effective way of keeping the grass short enough to allow the vast array of wildflowers in the area to get enough sunlight to grow.

Warwick Neale, community engagement team manager at Worcester City Council, said: “This is the fourteenth year in succession we have brought cattle to this city site. We introduce the cattle for around six months in a bid to regain some of the traditional benefits of natural stewardship.”

People are being asked to keep dogs on a lead or under close control when cattle are nearby and signs will put up on Newtown Road and Tolladine Road as a reminder.