A farmer has died after being charged by a bull, the National Farmers Union (NFU) said today.

The man, named as Ian Rook, from Clanfield, near Petersfield, was killed yesterday as he attempted to move the animal between two groups of cattle.

William White, south east regional director for the NFU, described the dead man as an experienced farmer and an ''all-round good bloke''.

Mr Rook died yesterday. It is believed that the bull turned on him after being startled.

A passer-by ran to the nearby farm house to call for emergency assistance.

But when they returned to the scene, the farmer had died from his injuries.

''The bull must have been spooked,'' Mr White said.

Mr White knew the farmer through his work as a treasurer and county chairman for the NFU.

''He was an experienced farmer. He was an extremely nice man who did a lot for the NFU. He was genuinely an all-round good bloke,'' he said.

Mr Rook leaves a wife and two sons, the NFU regional director added.

Mr White said the accident highlighted the risk of working with large livestock.

It comes just two weeks after a man was killed and his wife left critically injured after they were charged by a bull in Nottinghamshire.

Roger Freeman, 63, and his wife Lucy Glenis Freeman were attacked by the animal as they walked through a livestock field.