MORE than 4,000 people donned their wellies and braved the damp British weather to visit Lackham Farm and the annual Lambing Weekend.

The popular event, organised by Wiltshire College Lackham and in its 23rd year, is one of the highlights of the spring calendar and allows visitors to see sheep and their newborn lambs.

Ian Revill, assistant principal for Lackham, said: “The weather may have been quite dull and dreary on both days over the weekend, but the people certainly weren’t.

“We had around 2,000 visitors per day and everyone just putting on their wellies and waterproofs and getting on to go and see the lambs being born and other animals.

“This year we have even more ewes lambing during the March period so the chances to see a lamb actually being born are higher than ever.

“As ever I would like to thank all those who came for their patience as the wet weather can make the event very challenging to deliver.”

More than 1,000 ewes are currently lambing this year and around 450 of those have already lambed about 800 lambs.

Approximately 500 twins have been born, along with 40 triplets and a couple of quads.

Agricultural students from the college work 24/7 during the lambing period, typically eight-hour shifts, and students from other courses also help during the event.

Art and design students from the Chippenham campuses held felting sessions and level 3 land based technology students completed one of their major projects for the year by building two more personnel trailers in time for lambing.

As well as seeing the lambs visitors also get the chance to meet pigs, donkeys, deer, Hereford cows and calves and see dairy cows being milked which will then go to Cadbury.

Another weekend of lambing will take place on Saturday and Sunday where there will also be free tractor and trailer rides, face painting and other activities for children, as well as a mini farmers market.

To book tickets visit http://shop.wiltshire.ac.uk/product-catalogue/events/lambing-weekend