A FARM near Lasham, that attracts visitors for its wildlife, has received a funding boost to improve its facili¬ties.

The Woodland Trust, which runs Home Farm, at Burkham, has received a £12,950 grant from The Veolia Environmental Trust.

The money will go towards improving accessibility, people engagement and making the farm more interactive.

Some of the muddiest paths on the site will be resurfaced, and vegeta¬tion around a pond will be cut back.

Site manager Simon Bateman said: “Home Farm currently attracts around 3,000 visitors a year, mainly dog-walkers and local families.

“Through this project, and thanks to the Veolia Trust's funding, we aim to increase visitor numbers and attract a wider demographic of peo¬ple too.”

The charity bought the farm in 1990 and has since restored the landscape by protecting areas of ancient and maturing woodland. It also installed owl and kestrel boxes in 2000, and barn owls are now reg¬ularly seen on site.

McNabb Laurie, executive director of The Veolia Environmental Trust, said: “We are happy to be support¬ing this important project.”