LEARN about life on the farm - and see some adorable lambs at an open day this spring.

Dorset County Council tenant farmers John and Karen Wood are throwing open their farm gates on April 2 to raise funds for the Dorset Youth Marching Band.

The couple run a commercial flock of nearly 2,000 Suffolk, Texel cross and Mules on the farm and neighbouring land.

Karen, who works three days a week as an animal health officer in the county council’s trading standards department, said she was looking forward to this spring’s lambing open day - their fifth in what has become an annual event.

“Last year we had between 400-500 people attending and we raised more than £700 for the air ambulance through donations. This year we are raising money though donations for one of the Wimborne Mayor’s official charities - the Dorset Youth Marching Band.”

John and Karen have run the 210 acres at Merley Hall farm is in Ashington, near Wimborne for 15 years.

Ben Lancaster, Dorset County Council senior estate surveyor, added: “Farm open days are a great opportunity to provide a hands-on experience for the public and better educate them about farming and the countryside as well as raising the profile of our tenants and the Estate.”