Grazier John Coleman said this week that he is close to removing 200 cattle from the common lands.

The Essex butcher said: "I've had cattle on the grazing land for 30 years but the last three years have been a total nightmare because of the stupidity of some people.

"Four drunken teenagers were seen punching cattle in the head and smashing them with sticks just recently and I can't allow this to go on.
"Sudbury people need to realise that without cattle grazing, there will be no meadows.

"I have £100,000 tied up, with nearly 200 head of cattle down there – if I pull out the local economy will suffer and an area that pulls in lots of tourist will be lost.

"This is a big issue for the town and people need to wake up."
The Common Lands Trust, which administers the meadows, aims to use a £48,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to start a volunteer ranger service.

Ranger Adrian Walters said: "The choice is simple. Either local people begin to take on the role of guardians of the common lands or the meadows as we know them could change for the worse."

He said the greatest challenge was to maintain the grazing, which dates back to the 12th century.

"Incidents involving cattle make it increasingly possible that the grazier could withdraw livestock," he said.

"Without cattle, the land would revert to scrub and the wonderful landscape, with its associated rich wildlife would suffer."

Volunteers are needed to watch over the meadows, reporting any serious incidents.

They would receive professional training and learn about livestock welfare and the land's rich history and wildlife.