SHIRE horses returned to Hampstead Heath at the weekend – to help repair damage to grasslands after the English National Cross Country Championships were held on the common land.

The horses – called Murdoch and Joey – usually work at Richmond Park.

They were brought to the Heath as part of a City of London scheme to make greater use livestock for land management.

Last summer, sheep were grazed on the Heath for a five-day trial – and are set to return again this year.