Moo-ve on – it’s just hide-and-seek

Why did the cow cross the road? To get to the Mel Brooks film, of course. And hold up the traffic on Manchester’s busy Deansgate, leaving local motorists wondering what kind of traffic-calming measures the Greater Manchester police force had dreamt up.

The real reason is somewhat beefier. Property company Bruntwood organised the stunt to celebrate the launch of the CowParade Manchester 2004, a public arts event that tours the world and arrives in the North-west this June.

After herding the red and white bovine through the streets of Manchester, Bruntwood organised a showing of the comedy classic Blazing Saddles then auctioned three of the cows, raising £10,000 for local charities in the process.

Bruntwood promises that the cows are just the beginning of its promotional activities for the CowParade. It would seem the event is being milked for all it’s worth.