Cherie the sow, who joined farmers at Westminster in their battle to save the pig industry, has been sold to an animal welfare group.

The 18-month-old pig, belonging to Chris Lay, 46, of Manor Farm, West Hagbourne, near Didcot, was part of a round-the-clock vigil in Parliament Square until the group Compassion in World Farming offered £50 and the promise of blissful retirement for Cherie.

It was an offer Mr Lay, his brother Nick and father Charles of family business Hagbourne Farm Partners could not refuse.

Because of the unfavourable market, they said they have decided to stop farming pigs. He said: "The sow is 18 months old. A friend called her Cherie and the name stuck."

But though the pig turned up on the steps of No 10 Downing Street on Friday as farmers continued their protest at the lack of Government action over the pig farming crisis, it was not intended to be discourteous to Mr Blair's wife.

The National Pig Association signalled that its vigil will continue under the statue of Winston Churchill. And Cherie has been replaced by Winnie, a Large White Landrace cross belonging to farmer and butcher Russell Kilvington, of Winterbourne, near Newbury.

Story date: Wednesday 09 February

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