A DEDICATED new team of workers has moo-ved into a Feckenham nature reserve.

Wylde Moor Nature Reserve, run by Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, recently welcomed a herd of seven longhorn cattle.

The cattle will graze at the reserve for the winter months to stop the grassland from overgrowing, helping wild flowers to flourish there in the spring.

Trust spokeswoman Ros Spanton said: "Grasslands such as Feck-enham provide poor quality grazing and so are not attractive to farmers who want to fatten up their cattle. This has posed a problem for the trust and we have struggled to find grazing."

She said a team of volunteers had battled to maintain the grasslands during the winter but this was not ideal.

"Fortunately we have now found a farmer who owns a herd of longhorn cows, a traditional old breed and specialists in grazing rough pasture. They have now taken up residence on the reserve and have quickly set to work on their essential management role, eating the grass."

She added: "It is hoped the cattle will enjoy their visit and, thanks to their hard work, we look forward to seeing even more wild flowers on this historic wetland nature reserve in coming years."

A grant from The Guild of St George has helped the trust carry out this work.