A £2M appeal is being launched to protect a unique herd of wild cattle.

The Chillingham herd is believed to be related to prehistoric oxen which once grazed across Northern Europe.

The white long horns have remained isolated and untouched next to Chillingham Castle, in Northumberland, since 1260.

A reserve herd is kept at a secret location in Scotland, should disease wipe out the Northumberland stock

The Chillingham Wild Cattle Association, which is repsonsible for the care of the 51-strong herd, wants to buy more land around the castle to act as a buffer zone to ward off diseases.

Foot-and-mouth came within a mile of the park in 2001, almost wiping out the breed.

Lord James Joicey, the group's chairman, said: "Visitors at present are faced with an awkward walk into the park, across land belonging to another farmer.

"Easier access for the visitor and the conservation of this very special park with all its rich biodiversity are top priorities."

The launch comes a year after the association was given the option of purchasing the parkland from owner, College Valley Estates.

Philip Deakin, president of the association, said: "If we purchase the park the cattle and their grazing ground would be under the same ownership once more."

Visitors can see the herd between Easter and October.