The beef joints which are on display in the window of Grange Farm shop at Empshott are from cattle which were grazed just two miles away.

For the first time, beef is available from cattle which were grazed on a nature reserve managed by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.

Delighted trust officials are now advertising the beef as "wildflower friendly" because the animals help to ensure a healthy biodiversity of plants and insects at the Noar Hill reserve.

Mike Morton, the trust's officer in charge of the reserve, said: "Noar Hill is a wonderful place for wildlife, packed with orchids, butterflies and fragrant plants like wild thyme and wild marjoram.

"The Dexter cattle have been doing a great job helping to look after the wildlife by munching scrub and creating the ideal conditions for all sorts of plants and insects.

"The cattle are ideally suited to grazing at Noar Hill.

"They are a hardy Irish breed, easily recognised by their size – they are the smallest breed of cattle commonly seen in Britain.

"This means that they are able to pick their way over the ancient chalk pits and delicately nibble the plants.

"We could not look after Noar Hill without the Dexters.

"The population of the rare Duke of Burgundy butterfly, and many other species, rely on the conditions that are produced by cattle grazing."

Laura Fairs, grazing project officer for the wildlife trust, said: "Selling beef from the cattle means that we can continue to look after reserves in this way.

"We are demonstrating that good quality, local beef can be produced from cattle that have had a good life helping wildlife. I've already tasted some, and it's delicious."

Viv Evans, the owner of Grange Farm, said: "We specialise in stocking good quality, local produce and with Noar Hill being only two miles away you can't get much more local than that."

Noar Hill is owned by Sir James Scott, and is leased to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. It is designated as a site of special scientific interest.