A PRIVATE benefactor is ready to pay for a statue of a Hereford bull in Hereford city centre.

Those backing the bid are already talking about a national competition to find a sculptor for the beast.

Three possible sites are being considered for the statue – opposite Marks and Spencers, in front of the Old House, or where Commercial Street meets High Town.

No public money is involved in the venture.

The benefactor, who at this stage wishes to remain anonymous, has long seen the statue as an “enduring symbol” for the city and county to rally around.

David Deakin, of Hereford Cattle Society, is one of those involved in the project’s task team.

“Herefordshire is well known nationally for being the home of the SAS, cider and Ronnie Radford’s famous goal, but internationally the county’s greatest export has to be Hereford cattle,” said Mr Deakin.

“Herefords have formed the backbone of many beef industries around the world, from the pampas grasslands of Argentina to the vast prairies of Australia and North America.

“So it seems only appropriate that a statue depicting this wonderful white faced breed, founded in the county some 250 years ago, is to be placed in the heart of the city.”

As planned, the statue will be of a contemporary Hereford, a little over lifesize, mounted on a plinth possibly showing landmark dates in the history of the breed.