PLANS to clean up the field of Derby's famous water buffalo,

Oink, had to be delayed because of the hot weather this

weekend.

More than 20 people turned up yesterday to help Oink's

owner, Katherine Moore, tidy bushes and hedgerows around his

field and fill in potholes.

But the soaring temperatures meant that the work was unable

to start.

Mrs Moore said: “It was so good of all the people to turn up

but it was so hot that it would have been daft to start

working.

“I've put it off until a slightly cooler day. Even poor Oink

just lay in the shade all day.”

The Evening Telegraph reported earlier this month that Oink

had been attacked by yobs who threw bricks at him and set fire

to the hay in his field, in Haslam's Lane, Darley Abbey.

The 15-year-old water buffalo has since become an internet

star, with messages of support coming from as far away as

America.

One US fan has even designed a range of Oink-themed

T-shirts.

CCTV equipment has been installed in Oink's field to protect

him from future attacks.

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