INSTEAD of taking children on a trip to the farm, a Basingstoke pre-school brought the farm to them.

Youngsters at Tiny Oaks Pre-School, in Oakridge, had an up-close meeting when dozens of animals were bought into the Oakridge Road pre-school by Hook-based Miller’s Ark Animals.

Children aged from two to five were able to pet and feed piglets, goats, a donkey, lambs and geese.

Pre-school manager Karen McCoy said: “It was an end-of-term treat, and the children loved it. The experience was good for them – it was more interactive and hands-on.”

Tiny Oaks, based at Oakridge Infant School, was rated “outstanding” by education watchdog Ofsted in 2012.

The not-for-profit pre-school also operates a breakfast club for youngsters attending the local infant and junior schools.