A HERD of cattle is due to be released in a Worcester meadow as part of a conservation exercise by the city council.

The 25-strong army of hand-reared cattle will be in the Ronkswood Hill Meadow on Monday, May 19.

The cattle will be allowed free rein on the local nature reserve site to help preserve grassland and wild flowers.

The initiative is designed to act as a natural and cost-effective way of keeping the grass short and allow the vast array of wildflowers in the area to get enough sunlight to thrive.

Warwick Neale, parks and green network officer at Worcester City Council, said: "Cattle are part of nature's management plan and help to maintain the balance of plantlife and wildlife.

"This is the seventh year in succession we have brought cattle to this inner city site.

"We introduce the cattle for about six months in an attempt to regain some of the traditional benefits of natural stewardship."

The meadows are home to a wide range of wildflowers including black knapweed, cowslips and birdsfoot trefoil, but if grass grows too high the flowers will not flourish.

The cattle, munching round-the-clock, seven days a week, will play a pivotal role in boosting such flora and fauna as well as producing other positive spin-offs such as an increase in butterflies and improvements to the soil.

The only potential problem is that people are not used to seeing cows on the meadows. To counter this, the city council will be putting signs up on Newtown Road and Tolladine Road to warn walkers and dog-owners to take a little extra care and keep dogs on a lead or under close control when cattle are nearby.

Mr Neale added: "The sudden re-appearance of cattle may take a few people by surprise but they will probably be too busy chewing the cud to take notice of any passers-by!"

For further information about the conservation exercise, contact Mr Neale on 01905 722233.