RARE cattle from Dinefwr Park have been honoured with a special prize at the Royal Welsh Smallholders and Garden Festival at Builth Wells.

Dinefwr's White Park Cattle - a symbol of Welsh history, myth and legend – have been present at the National Trust property for more than a thousand years with records highlighting their presence at the farm since at least the year 920.

"We are delighted with our success at the Smallholders and Garden Festival," said National Trust Community Ranger Carol Bailey.

"Our heifer behaved brilliantly and was very relaxed about the whole trip.

"We had lots of visitors and everybody was interested in her and how she and the rest of the herd help with conservation grazing on the Dinefwr estate.

"There was a lot of interest in the information stand too. The herd has such a fascinating history and we try to showcase that as best we can. Getting the prize was the icing on the cake."

Ms Bailey said the Trust hoped to continue their success by taking two yearlings to the next year’s show.

"White Park cattle evolved in a natural environment having been kept in parks and subjected to a minimum of human interference," said Ms Bailey.

"They have retained to a greater degree those characteristics which are associated with hardy independent cattle.”

The cattle can be seen in the grounds of Dinefwr throughout the year and tractor trailer tours give visitors a chance to learn more and get a closer look as they are taken into the cattle field at Dinefwr.