THOUSANDS of people will once again flock to Lackham for the annual lambing weekends.

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

Visitors will also get the chance to meet Hereford cows and calves and see dairy cows being milked.

Ian Revill, assistant principal at Lackham, said: “Lackham has now had an important role in educating people about farming and food production for 70 years.

“The lambing event is a fun way for people to get a really engaging insight into many different aspects of farming and the opportunity to see new lambs being born is what most people really come for.

“Last year over 60 lambs were born during the weekends when the public were in the sheds, so the chances are pretty good if you have the patience to wait for a while.”

Last year a record number of people – almost 4,000 – attended the event and every year Lackham Farm is left with more than 3,000 ewes and lambs.

Agricultural students at the college typically work 24-7 this month in eight-hour shifts to care for them during the lambing season.

The event will take place this weekend and next, and there will also be free tractor and trailer rides, face painting and other activities for children, as well as a mini farmers' market.

Tickets for lambing cost £25 per car – for up to seven people – or £8 per adult and £6 per child, but children under the age of three go free.

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