A FORMER High Sheriff of Herefordshire has revealed one of his pedigree Hereford cattle has tested positive for TB.

Major Patrick Darling, who farms the Caradoc Estate at Sellack, just outside Ross-on-Wye, says the cow, called Jonny the Second, had to be slaughtered but none of the rest of the herd was infected.

He blames badgers which he believes cows are more susceptible to in the summer as they are out grazing in the open.

"We have 70 pedigree Hereford cattle," said Major Darling.

"They are a closed herd so you think it would be difficult to get an infection.

"We get tested on a regular basis.

"On this occasion we were selling 14 cows and they underwent a pre-movement test."

Unfortunately, Jonny the Second tested positive and had to be put down.

"It's a great hardship really," he said.

"If there was a vaccine then that would be great.

"It's just one of those terribly frustrating things."

Major Darling said the infection could only have come from badgers entering his field as his other cattle were given the all-clear.