A HERD of cattle from a hilltop farm in the region is grazing its way across the nation in the interests of a series of conservation projects.

The Gilmonby Herd of Belted Galloway, owned by Paul Coppen of White Close Hill, Gilmonby, near Bowes, County Durham, is one of the largest of its kind in the UK.

For years, its has been well-known in the region after attracting the attention - and tastebuds - of chefs at the London restaurant Rules, where its beef features on the menu.

Now it is making a name for itself among environmentalists who are using the herd in conservation grazing schemes and in a move to re-introduce traditional native breeds of cattle to British uplands.

Cows from herd have been moved to farms in the Yorkshire Dales, the Peak District, Northumberland, Lancashire and Hannah Hauxwell's former farm at Baldersdale, in Teesdale.

As the cattle are small, hardy and are not fussy eaters like their continental cousins, native grasses and flowers are able to flourish and insect larvae can develop.

Mr Coppen, who founded the herd in 1986, said: "Having a hill farm cuts the type of cattle breeds down to two really, the Galloway and Highland.

"I didn't fancy the horns on the Highland, so went for the Belted Galloway.

"English Nature, Defra and other conservation groups are using the herd because the way they graze is good for native wildlife.

"It is good to support these schemes because I'm all for a return to traditional farming methods and protecting native wildlife."