The National Trust has reintroduced highland cattle to graze in Cobham Wood.

The moo cows, defined by their long horns and wavy coats, are said to be an historic feature of the original parkland of Cobham Hall, the seat of the Earl of Darnley, of which Cobham Wood was a part.

The National Trust now manages 70 hectares of the wood and ranger Jonathan Ireland is working, with a team of volunteers, to restore the habitat.

And the return of the Scottish-bred beasts, which eat leaves as well as grass, will help this by allowing light to reach the woodland floor and wildlife to flourish.

Mr Ireland said: "The introduction of Highland cattle is an essential element in the restoration process.

"Highland cattle are particularly suited to Cobham Wood as they browse the vegetation, such as lower leaves on trees rather than just grazing grass.

"Essentially they feed more like goats than other breeds of domestic cattle.

"Here at Cobham Wood we really need to get on top of bramble and thistle in order to get light down to the woodland floor, and reinstate what is both a fantastic wildlife habitat and a very attractive and accessible wood for visitors.”

Crispin Scott, National Trust wildlife and countryside adviser, added: “The term wood pasture refers to parkland or woodland which is used by grazing animals for food and shelter, creating a fairly open feel under the trees and with a unique assemblage of plants and animals, including rare invertebrates and some unusual fungi."

Highland cattle happily graze in the depths of winter when other stock have generally come indoors.

Permission has been granted to allow the bovid mammals to graze all year, after consultation with Natural England.

Cobham Wood and Mausoleum were acquired by the National Trust in 2013. For further details about its history click here.