Heifer Josie becomes one of the horses of the valley

Josie won a mention in last week's Bexhill Observer in a review on a walk from Crowhurst, which follows the old railway line.

Delia Weedon, of Actons Farm in the Combe Valley, contacted the Observer to put readers in the full picture concerning Josie's antics as she is often remarked upon by walkers.

Rosie, Josie's mother, is a Jersey house cow and since the heifer was born, mum and daughter have been living in a field with Delia's pedigree Dales, a rare breed of native pony from the North East of England.

The calf decided she preferred the company of the horses, sleeping and playing with them, and was totally unconcerned when Rosie went off to be milked.

Delia said: "When it was time to wean Josie, we decided it was kinder to leave her with her friends than to put her out with older cattle she did not know.

"She hardly missed her mother, and Primrose, my 30-year-old mare who lives in with the mares and foals as nanny, accepted her as one of her charges.

"Josie has even been seen suckling on Primrose, though I doubt she found anything!

"Hence one calf, six mares and foals and one old lady all living happily together and causing a lot of interest in the Combe Haven Valley."