Voting ended today in a competition which could have secured �1,000 for the cash-strapped Hackney Empire

Buttercup had reached the final five in a search for the nations’ most moovelous panto cow, but the break-dancing bovine was pipped to the post by Dave from the Porthcawl Grand Pavilion in Wales.

Buttercup is performing in the Hackney Empire’s Christmas panto, Jack and The Beanstalk, which has received rave reviews.

The black and white Fresian failed to secure �1,000 for the Mare Street theatre, which was closed temporarily following the last season’s panto for nine months to consider its financial position.

The competition was run by ice cream makers Ben & Jerry’s, whose team has scoured the nation’s stages to find the cream of the pantomime crop, based on criteria including dance skills, improvisation, stage presence, style and cow quirkiness.