Not Much Fits

A Friesian bullock is set to break records as Britain’s tallest cow, his owners claimed today.

The 6ft 6ins cow, named Chilli, towers over other cattle in his herd at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary in Chard, Somerset.

Staff at the sanctuary have applied to Guinness World Records to have him named as Britain’s tallest cow.

They claim nine-year-old Chilli, who is kept on a strict diet of grass, has grown so tall because of the “Somerset air”.

“He eats about the same amount of grass as a normal cow, who you would expect to grow to about 5ft,” said sanctuary spokeswoman Jo Fox.

“But Chilli must love the Somerset air because he is huge.

“We have checked farms and sanctuaries across the country and we have been unable to find a cow even near his height.

“The closest was one recorded in Dorset at 6ft 1ins last year.

“We are convinced he is the biggest so now we have applied for him to be entered in the Guinness Book of Records. We are currently going through the checking process.”

Chilli, who now weighs more than a tonne, arrived at the sanctuary when he was six days old.

Fox added: “He is lucky to still be alive.

“It is unusual for Friesians to live to this age as they are usually slaughtered for beef in their youth.