A FLOCK of sheep are raising eyebrows around a farm shop.

The Udder Farm Shop's 70-strong herd may be making passers-by do a double take. Instead of the usual white, fluffy animals one might expect, this flock are bright pink.

The stunt is all in aid of a good cause, and the dye is animal-friendly, so won't cause any harm to the sheep. It will also wear off naturally, so the animals will be back to their usual white colour before long.

Staff at the farm shop in Gillingham dyed the flock in honour of breast cancer awareness month.
Owner Jane Down has a very personal reason for wanting to highlight the cause - she is currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

Pink sheep isn't the only way the farm shop has got involved in raising awareness.

The shop has been selling pink cakes and serving drinks in pink cups at their Deli counter throughout October and staff participated in Wear It Pink day on Friday, October 21.

A percentage of all the pink-based items sold at the farm shop throughout the month will be donated the the Breast Care Clinic at Salisbury Hospital.

Jane said: “Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the UK - one in eight women will develop it in their lifetime, as I have. 

"It’s a horrible and frightening disease but the good news is that, thanks to things like Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the hard work of research organisations and treatment centres, people are catching it early and getting treatment and over 85 per cent now survive breast cancer beyond five years.

“We are so grateful for all the support and care provided by the Breast Care Clinic in Salisbury that we wanted to do something to help raise awareness of the disease and to raise some money to support the fantastic work that they do at the hospital. 

"If our pink sheep can help to encourage a few more women to check their breasts and if our pink cakes can raise a few pounds for the Clinic, then that’s great.”

Breast cancer awareness month is a worldwide annual campaign involving thousands of organisations, to highlight the importance of breast awareness, education and research.

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, charity Breast Cancer Now aim to get as many people as possible involved in raising awareness and funds for breast cancer research. 

The pink sheep can be seen grazing in the fields alongside The Udder Farm Shop and Cafe now.