A VISITOR attraction is celebrating 35 years in the tourist industry.

Hall Hill Farm, near Lanchester, first opened its doors to the public in 1981 after inviting people to come and see their lambs during the lambing season.

The working farm opened its gates to visitors after showing lots of friends and family around the farm at springtime.

Tourism manager Ann Darlington said: “I never dreamt how much the business would grow.

“In those early days, we were a working farm, just opening at lambing time so that everyone could see the lambs.

“Animals and visitors have always been and still are at the heart of this attraction but we have added more activities and facilities over the years such as the sheep racing, Lamb Cam, crazy golf, Playbarn and jumping pillow.”

In the first few years the farm would get around 6,000 visitors per year, but now it is more than 75,000.

Earlier this year, Hall Hill Farm was named national runner-up in two categories at the National Farm Attraction Network Awards for Farm Attraction of the Year and also Best in Education.

Last year, it was visited by more than 200 schools who brought 12,000 pupils for a fun and an educational day out.

Ms Darlington said: “We have continued to invest and develop the farm, especially over the past ten years to ensure that we can provide our visitors with an enjoyable, entertaining and educational experience.

“This is a celebration for staff and visitors who have supported us through the past 35 years.”