City faces invasion of the cows

The cows will moo-ch around Manchester until September

More than 150 fibreglass cows have invaded the streets of Manchester, as one of the world's largest public art exhibitions comes to the city.

The Manchester Cow Parade runs throughout the summer. Each of the brightly decorated cows are life-sized and graze individually and in herds.

They have been designed by regional, local and celebrity artists.

The Cow Parade, which has been a hit in Dublin, New York and Tokyo, will also raise cash for a local charity.

The Manchester exhibition is one of the largest ever staged.

Celebrity designers include Jarvis Cocker, architects Lord Foster and Will Alsop, fashion designers Vivienne Westwood and Matthew Williamson, supermodel Jodie Kidd and artist Patrick Hughes.

Charity auction

Cow Parade Europe director Charles Langhorne said: "Cow Parade Manchester offers the chance to rediscover the city as the cows gather to graze outside Manchester's most iconic buildings and world famous landmarks.

"Our aim is to make the event as exciting, fun and inclusive as possible."

Cow Parade began in Zurich in 1998 where local businesses created the event to increase tourism and commerce and has raised over £7m for charitable causes from the auction of cows at the conclusion of the event.

The Manchester cows will be auctioned to raise cash for Manchester Kids, a charity set up by radio stations Key 103 and Magic 1152.