VISITORS to a country park near Winchester will be treated to the sight of some very special grass-cutters over the next few weeks.

Six Highland cattle took up residence this week at Avington Park, a seven-acre, HCC-managed area of open grassland. The animals, all cows, are from the council's grazing herd and will be there for three weeks to help maintain the grassland habitat. It is the first time cattle have been grazed there for 15 years.

A Countryside Service spokesman said the new arrivals had been "chomping at the bit to settle in to their new home".

Visitors to the park, expected to be popular over Easter, should not be alarmed by the fearsome-looking beasts, which are actually very docile. However, dog-walkers are asked to put their pets on a lead while walking nearby.

Motorists are also advised to look out when driving inside the estate and warnings to that effect have been erected at the entrance and in the car park.

Margaret Snaith, HCC member responsible for recreation and heritage, said: "Allowing cattle to graze on the land is the best way to maintain and enhance grassland habitats for wildlife, and is a fully-sustainable form of management."

"I am sure these spectacular-looking cattle will prove to be a popular addition to this attractive site during their three-week stay."

Highland cattle are unfussy about their diet and are expected to make short work of the rank old pasture in the park, creating a mosaic of short/long grass with bare patches and hoofprints, which will form new areas where flowering herbs can germinate. These, in turn, will boost the numbers of insects and provide vital food for birds and bats.

After they've done their good work, the cattle will go to other sites, where their grazing has already increased biodiversity.