ABOUT 300 cattle were among the livestock at this year's show and, as usual, the judging drew huge crowds.

It was revealed at the showground that locally reared livestock are doing their bit to help conserve the Kentish countryside.

The Rural Enterprise Scheme (RES) will match graziers with landowners who need cattle and sheep to manage grassland.

As well as protecting Kent's natural habitats, the scheme will benefit graziers, landowners and their communities economically.

The project is funded by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and administered by the Ring of Agricultural Machinery in Sussex and Kent (RAMSAK).

John Dinnis (CORR), RAMSAK co-ordinator and Shoreham farmer, said traditional grazing patterns created many attractive landscapes.

He said: "Intensive agriculture has fragmented valuable habitats and it has become harder to maintain them."

Angus Campbell, manager for RAMSAK, said: "Graziers will now have more ground to graze which is either free or that they can charge a small fee for."

The project is being co-ordinated via the website www.ramsak.net and will include a directory of landowners and graziers as well as an interactive map showing grassland sites.