Portland will keep its own rare namesake sheep after farmers found a new site for the flock.

It was feared the only flock of Portland sheep would have to leave the island because hobby farmers Su and Jon Illsley failed to strike a deal over the future of their smallholding at Fancy’s Farm, Southwell.

The community rallied round them earlier this year when a peaceful protest was held at the site in a bid to save the farm – which, as well as keeping animals for families to enjoy, offered volunteering opportunities for troubled youths and people with learning disabilities.

After making an appeal, the Illsleys were offered some former military land behind the Verne and have now moved their animals to the new site after negotiating a rent with the landowner.

They currently only have grazing rights at the Glacis site but hope to develop the business as a community farm for the benefit of local people.

Mrs Illsley said she was del-ighted and was looking to the future, despite a poor lambing season when many of the ewes aborted because of a dog attack.

The Portland sheep breed is classed as ‘at risk’ by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.

There used to be thousands of them on Portland but their numbers declined and the last flock left in 1920. To ensure links were maintained a flock was reintroduced to the island in the 1970s.

The Illsleys took on the last flock when they set up their Southwell smallholding in 2009 but negotiations with landowner Albion Stone broke down and the couple could no longer stay there.

They eventually moved off after the lambing season.

Mrs Illsley said: “We’re delighted to have found a new home for the Portland sheep and our other animals and we have big plans for the venture.

“We’d like to set up a not-for-profit Community Interest Com-pany where we’ll be able to provide work experience for students and other volunteers and have family open days.

“We’re negotiating with various agencies and getting our planning permissions in.”

She added: The last year has been a rollercoaster which nearly broke us but we came through.

“We’re happy to be here. It’s a fascinating site, about 10 acres, which has been previously been used for military activities. It’s very secure surrounded by eight-foot steel fences so there’s no danger of dogs getting on the land.”

Mrs Illsley said a number of offers of land had been made including sites off the island but she said it was important for the sheep to remain on Portland.