The family of a woman in Britain who was killed after being trampled by a cow has said the public need to be more aware of the dangers.

Marian Clode died after being charged at by a herd of cattle while out for a walk in Belford, Northumberland, on April 3rd.

She was on a short break with her family when the incident happened.

The 61-year-old had been walking along a public bridlepath with her husband Chris, daughter Lucy Rowe and son-in-law Kevin when they were approached by a herd of cattle which included several calves.

Chris said the cows suddenly attacked.

"I could see the cows at the top of the hill, I could see they were really running fast, clearly at speed," he said. "The most horrible thing of all is I couldn't see Marian".

"I could see this animal and it was scraping his paws and it was so sinister it was unbelievable. I will never forget the sight of that cow, like a bull fight, matador".

Lucy said: "It charged at her a third time, it flipped my mum like a rag doll over the fence into the next fence".

"The consultant said the injuries that my mum sustained were the worst they had ever seen, equivalent to those of a high-speed crash".

"She did not stand a chance against that animal. My mum went blue when I looked, the cows were staring at me, her lips went blue. I was screaming her name".

74 fatalities involving cattle

An ambulance was called and paramedics attempted resuscitation.

Marian, from Ashton-under-Lyne, was airlifted to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle but died two days later.

There have been 74 fatalities involving cattle recorded in Britain since 2000 - with 18 of those being members of the public.

In comparison, dangerous dogs have killed 17 people in the last eight years.

The family is urging the public to be more aware of the dangers posed by cows and their young calves.

"Farmers should know it's the time of the year when cattle are with their calves and it could be dangerous and they have to look after the public," said Chris.

"My life has gone now, here is someone who was very fit, nothing is going to be the same ever again, it's just traumatic, so sad and silly, and totally ridiculous that this has happened, it could happen to anyone".

"We all go on walks, you don't expect to finish up in this situation and this should never happen to anyone again".