Castaway cattle head for island getaway.

AN island nature reserve is harbouring some unusual castaways - four Welsh Black cattle.

The 12-month-old animals are the first cattle to graze RSPB Ramsey Island, off the Pembrokeshire coast, since 1963.

Greg Morgan, the island's warden, said: "Previously we've had a substantial rabbit population to maintain grazing duties, but a myxomatosis outbreak in 2007 reduced the rabbit population."

Ramsey already hosts around 200 ewes and five ponies. The cattle have been brought to the island because their grazing patterns provide short tussocky grass, which breeding lapwing prefer for nesting.

Chough will also benefit as cattle dung will attract insects on which they can feed.

The cattle are owned by two local farmers, both of whom financed the venture.

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The cattle were shipped to the island in crates (inset) before being released