Shetland Horses Duke and Ben were star attractions at Aldenham Country Park's Rare Breeds Day on Saturday, following their demonstrations of scarifying pasture, the traditional way.

The event took three months to prepare and was designed by Aldenham Country Park in connection with the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST). The park has been a member of the trust since 1982.

The objective of the day was to make people more aware of rare breeds, and the reason they are becoming rare.

The park currently keeps three different breed of pig; the Berkshire, Tamworth and Gloucester Old Spot, two breeds of goat; the Bagot and Golden Guernsey and one herd of the rare breed Long Horn Cow.

Senior estate officer Mick O'Malley said: 'This is the first event that we have held of its kind and we are pleased with the interest that has been shown. Some people do not realise that we keep rare breed farm animals and we hope as a result of today we will now be able to expand our numbers.'

Main stars of the show, were two shire horses Duke, 16, and Ben, seven, from Ivor in Buckinghamshire. Led by John Cattermole, the two black gelding rare breeds scarified the far end field throughout the day, using a plough harness made before the First World War.

Guided talks from park rangers were also in operation, at set times throughout the event.

Park manager Martin Hartup said: 'Today was also designed to highlight the benefits of rare breed farm animals to low cost farms.

At present there is very little market for rare breed products, which is why they are becoming rare. Once they have gone, they are gone forever.'