A vet remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital after a cow kicked a metal gate into his face.

Jereme Darke, 45, who is well known across south Somerset, was blood testing beef cattle at a farm in Donyatt when the freak accident occurred at 3.10pm on Monday, January 9.

One of the animals kicked the gate which swung and struck him.

Mr Darke, a director of Synergy Farm Health Veterinary Services based in Evershot, fell backwards and hit his head on concrete, resulting in a fractured skull, a brain haemorrhage and severe facial injuries, according to his colleagues.

He was airlifted to Frenchay Hospital in Bristol to undergo surgery.

Andrew Davies, managing director of Synergy, said: “There have been signs of optimism in the past 48 hours and the news has been received positively by everyone who knows Jereme. His family say they have been overwhelmed with support from the community and his partner, Louise, is at his bedside.”

Mr Darke, who lives in Devon, is joint Master of the Seavington Hunt and secretary of the Crewkerne Farmers’ Skittle League. He also enjoys walking, gardening and bell-ringing.

He joined Kingfisher Veterinary Practice, which has bases in Crewkerne, Chard and Martock, immediately after graduating from the Royal Veterinary College, London, in 1990.

Synergy Farm has been posting updates about Mr Darke’s recovery on its website.

An update on Monday said: “During the day Louise has seen flickers of reactions from Jereme. He has moved his eyelids and there have been other facial movements.

“Apparently he is moving his mouth a lot, old habits die hard. He also moved his hands slightly and when stimulated with a pain response test he moved his hands up into the air more than he has done thus far.”

Scores of people have left messages of support in the comments section.