IT IS a scene that would not look out of place in America's Wild West.

A herd of buffalo graze on grass and survey the wide open spaces of the prairie - or so it seems.

But these huge creatures are actually being farmed in a field on the Hampshire Downs.

Massive they may be, weighing in at over a ton, but those farming the animals insist they are a healthy alternative to beef.

The Broughton Water Buffalo Farm near Stockbridge has 160 acres on which to graze the herd of more than 40.

The chalky downs and thin grass are said to provide perfect conditions for rearing the animals.

The farm was one of the highlights in this year's Hampshire Food Festival where consumers across the county were invited to go along to farms to find out more about where their food comes from.

To complete the cycle of farm to food, those visitors at the open day at the farm earlier this month were then offered a giant buffalo burger to experience the taste for themselves.

Water buffalo originally come from the wetlands of Asia and the Indian subcontinent, but domesticated buffalo are now found throughout the world from Africa to Argentina and from South America to Australia.

However, Europe has been slower to catch on to the benefits of the animals, whose meat is said to have 40 per cent less cholesterol and 70 per cent less fat than beef.

Farm manager Dagan James, said: "Water buffalo offer a far healthier option with less fat and cholesterol than beef, and are delicious to eat as well.

"They have a lovely temperament and are normally quite placid and gentle, but you don't want to be in their way if they get angry."