Phonetics experts at the University of London say they can prove that cows moos have regional accents, backing early claims by dairy farmers.

John Wells, Professor of Phonetics at the University of London, said, "This phenomena is well attested in birds. You find distinct chirping accents in the same species around the country.

He continues, "This could also be true of cows. In small populations such as herds you would encounter identifiable dialectical variations which are most affected by the immediate peer group."

Dairy farmers in Somerset, England was the first to notice a local twang to the sound made by their cows. Members of the West Country Farmhouse Cheesemakers group said these could have been influenced by the close bond between farmers and cows.

They also noted similar accent shifts in Midlands, Essex, Norfolk and Lancashire moos.

Lloyd Green , a farmer from Glastonbury told the Guardian, "I spend a lot of time with my ones and they definitely moo with a Somerset drawl."