Video: Herd of cows on the loose in Beverley

The animals, which are normally kept on the Westwood, were seen in Coronation Gardens this morning, but when attempts were made to round them up they ran out into the street.

Charlotte Hobson, from North Bar Within, filmed at least 30 cows milling in the street. Click above to watch her video.

She said: “I was walking down the street, they were all up North Bar Within, they must have been there overnight. My Mum said she heard them mooing in the night. They must have walked down York Road and through the Bar.

“Someone from the Westwood came to round them up and they ran in the street. They put them back in the gardens and this other man came and used his car to block the right hand side of the gardens. The people from the pub opposite were also helping.”

Unsuspecting visitors may find cattle licking paint off cars parked on the Westwood or knocking off their wing mirrors – but they cannot make a claim as the animals there have the right of way.

At least 15 farmers graze stock on the Westwood and there are many horse owners who pay the so-called “gait fee” to allow their steeds to feed on Swinemoor.