A TEACHING farm has welcomed its first lambs of the new year.

Staff at East Durham College’s Houghall Farm, near Durham, ensure its lambing season starts early, so trainees can learn the ropes under expert supervision before working out in the field.

Farm manager Keith Cook said: “Through the techniques we have used for the lambing year we have been able to expand our lambing season to start earlier than normal here at the college, giving students on agriculture courses the opportunity to get involved.”

A Lambing Sunday open event will be held at the college on Sunday, March 22, from 11am to 3pm. For more information, call 0191-375-4710.