An Aldenham farm has celebrated bringing together local people from different walks of life to care for its cows and bulls, including organic farmers, veterinary students and those taking part in community payback projects.

New Gokula Farm at Bhaktivedanta Manor Hare Krishna Temple has a mixed herd of almost 60 animals and grows herbs, vegetables and fruits.

Veterinary students spend about a week helping to milk the animals, work with oxen, nurse sick cows, mill grains, clean, look after the shop and learn to make ropes.

The farm also hosts people who have to pay back a number of hours to society as part of a magistrate’s penalty, who spread fertilizers, help with manual tasks, festival clear up, hedge maintenance, tree work and weeding.

In addition, the farm also has close links with Worldwide Opportunities On Organic Farms, and volunteers help weed the crops, harvest, plant, clean, help in the kitchen, help with the cows and work with the oxen.

The eight acres of land on site is cultivated without pesticides or herbicides. The land is ploughed using oxen and fertilized with cow manure.

Syamasundara Dasa, manager of New Gokula Farm, said: "New Gokula is a unique project in the heart of Watford, designed to be a model for sustainable farming in the UK.

"It is a revolutionary project in the UK, enabling people to experience a traditional farming lifestyle, which is why it is successful in inspiring and bringing together so many people from different parts of the community."