A year or so later and with one show season behind her, she is a seasoned stock handler, deftly guiding her Hereford cattle around the ring.

"The first time I put a halter on anything was March last year," says Victoria. "I used to put the halter on upside down."

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Robert Clarke and Victoria Vere Nicoll (Image: Denise Bradley) The Herefords - and a few Red Polls - make up a 200-strong herd as cattle return to the family estate near Southwold after many decades.

Victoria is guided by expert stockman Robert Clarke, who arrived last year after many years in the trade. He was most recently on the Shadwell Estate until the herd was sold up.

Victoria's elder sister, Lucinda Hutson, mucks in on the farm when cover is required - but she is mainly tied up full time running the estate. "I'm the back-up back-up," she jokes.

Robert Clarke, herd manager, with a couple of Hereford calves at Benacre Hall (Image: Denise Bradley) Victoria adds: "Everyone is all hands on deck - everybody looks out for everybody."

The sisters' widowed mother, Lady Suzie, is now 86 and lives at Covehithe. She takes a back seat but everything is still run past her - including the recent introduction of the Herefords - and a few Red Poll cattle.

During the summer months, Victoria works alongside long-time professional stockman Robert as they take their animals around the regional agricultural shows.

Victoria Vere Nicoll with one of the Hereford calves at Benacre Hall (Image: Denise Bradley) The rest of the year, she helps out with the Benacre Herefords - a new 200-head herd being developed on the 8,000 acre family estate.

Last year was a very successful inaugural year for the herd, which came away with a clutch of awards.

This year, the estate's bull Moorside 1 Ample and cow Shadwell 1 Blossom took breed champion and reserve breed champion awards........

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