CATTLE could return to the Malvern Hills for the first time in 30 years if the Government approves a £340,000 grant.

The Conservators have applied to join the Countryside Stewardship scheme run by the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

This gives grants to landowners to enhance and conserve English landscapes, their wildlife and history and to help people to enjoy them.

The Conservators' director, Ian Rowat, said that if the application was successful, the ten annual instalments of £34,000 would be used to reintroduce cattle to the hills as well as sheep, to reduce the amount of scrubland. Cattle previously roamed British Camp during the 1970s but were gradually phased out as alternative technologies improved.

Mr Rowat said cattle would be used to graze on the northern areas of the hills, where more dog walkers caused problems with sheep.

The application is in four sections, covering the northern hills, north of the Wyche cutting, the central hills from the Wyche cutting to Wynds Point, Malvern Common from Lower Wyche to Hayes Bank, and other enclosed land.

News on the bid is expected by November this year.