A SELECTION of model cows made by Herefordshire schoolchildren went under the hammer during a cattle auction.

The sale helped beef up funds of the Rare Breed Survival Trust which received £370 from the auction.

The model cows were handmade by children at Hereford Cathedral Junior School as part of the school’s cattle trail where they enjoyed a special treasure hunt to find the hidden cows before the models were auctioned off.

The children have spent the last few terms learning about cattle breeds, including rare breeds.

The auctioneers included several of the children plus several guest auctioneers.

One model, called Emlyn, raised £52.

Inspiration for the models came from a wide variety of sources including ‘a Ziger’, a cross between a zebra and a tiger which, claims the catalogue accompanying the auction sale, is the only one in existence.

Children also drew inspiration from their favourite cartoon and television characters, the Hereford bull and even Hereford Cathedral.

The children’s teacher, Anna Sutton, said: “The children are really enthusiastic about the project.

"It is encouraging that our young people are showing an interest in farming and rare breeds which I hope will contribute to preserve the future of our native breeds.”