A GROUP of full-time conservation experts has been recruited in an attempt to preserve grassland and wild flowers in Worcester.

Their brief is to work round the clock, in all weathers, without any time off. And their reward? All they grass they can eat.

Twenty hand-reared cows have been brought in to graze at the Local Nature Reserve site, off Newtown Road, Worcester, this week.

It is hoped their presence will promote the growth of wild flowers and encourage wildlife on the Ronkswood Hill Meadows.

The idea of reverting back to nature to protect the site, which is a natural home to wild flowers including black knapweed, cowslips and birdsfoot trefoil, is the brainchild of the city ranger service.

"The plan is for cattle to keep the grass short enough for an array of threatened wildflowers to get enough sunlight to grow and hopefully thrive," said conservation officer Warwick Neale.

Butterflies

He hopes managing the grassland to allow the flowers will have other positive effects, such as an increase in butterflies and a natural soil improvement.

"Ronkswood Hill Meadows is one of the most important natural conservation areas in the city," said Mr Neale.

"It is a traditional meadow, but with the decline in farm animals, the site needs a degree of stewardship to maintain the natural balance."

Promoting

"Allowing cattle to graze there from now until the autumn is the best way of managing the grassland, reducing fertility and thereby promoting wildlife in a variety of ways," he added.

The cattle belong to a local grazier and they were released on to the meadows earlier this week.

Signs will go up at the Newtown Road and Tolladine Road ends of the meadows to warn dog-owners to keep their pets under control near the cattle.

"We would ask owners to keep their dogs under proper supervision at all times," Mr Neale said.

- What do you think about this move to promote diversity of wildlife on Ronkswood Meadows? Should we be doing more to conserve Britain's wild creatures? We want to hear your view. Write to You Say, Evening News, Hylton Road, Worcester WR2 5JX.