RICHARD Smith of Welland has been appointed by Malvern Hills Conservators to shepherd the first conservation flock on the Hills.

The 29-year-old has farmed in the area for five years and keeps 100 sheep, including pedigree charollais and mule ewes.

He is chairman of the Vale of Evesham Sheepdog Trials and is the holder of eight trophies at Evesham and Mathon.

His favourite sheepdog is called growler after a well-known foxhound, but Mr Smith said he was "as soft as a brush".

"I love shepherding and I go lambing in the Scottish hills," he said.

"I've often looked at the Malverns and thought what was wanted was more sheep up there.

"I think North Country Cheviots would be suitable, because they are a hardy hill breed with a good conformation and the lambs could be sold to the butchers very well.

"They are also very good about staying on their own part of the hill and not wandering."

Mr Smith said he preferred the breed to Hebrideans, which have been suggested because they like to eat the tough shoots of bramble, gorse and scrub that need to be cleared from the Hills.

"Hebrideans are on the primitive breed list because they are not commercially viable," he said.

"I thought to have a slightly more commercial breed would get local farmers interested as well."

Mr Smith, who takes up his appointment on January 8, expects to have up to 150 sheep on the Hills south of British Camp.

He said he would like to start off with ewe lambs and perhaps breed on from the initial flock next year.

"I know the aim is to conserve the Hills, but it's a five-year project and if it's successful it should encourage more of the commoners to take up their grazing rights," he said.