Kailash Chauhan, traffic police inspector for Balaghat district in Madhya Pradesh state, said action was taken after a spate of road accidents.

Livestock-related accidents claimed 550 lives on India’s roads last year.

Orange radium reflective bands have now been attached to the horns of as many as 300 cows and bulls to help drivers spot them.

Mr Chauhan told the AFP news agency: “Many drivers injured themselves or killed the cattle after running over them at night.

“There was an urgent need to prevent such accidents.”

Because of the success of the scheme, officers say they now plan to buy permanent radium paint for the animals.