A Long Horn cow is helping build international relations between Abingdon and Africa.

Chris Blakey

The animal was given to Chris Blakey, a PE teacher and head of year nine at Fitzharrys School, during an exchange trip to a school in south-west Uganda.

Mr Blakey received a football made of palm leaves and a wooden shield to protect him on his journey home. He said: "We received such wonderful hospitality and you can imagine my surprise when the school presented me with a cow.

"My first thought was how am I going to get this back to Abingdon?

"Fortunately, the animal will be cared for by the school. But what an astonishing present.

"The other teachers were quite envious."

Mr Blakey added: "It was an interesting visit and gave us a deep insight into education in Uganda."