THOUSANDS of visitors were at Sparsholt College to watch as the first lambs arrived.

About 6,000 people were at the college’s annual lambing weekend on Saturday and Sunday.

As the campus basked in glorious sunshine visitors enjoyed close-up views of newly born lambs.

Sparsholt shepherd John Garrett was on hand to provide a running commentary explaining the lambing process and to take questions from inquisitive visitors.

Working alongside John, were the college’s agriculture students who are all learning the intricacies of lambing as part of their curriculum studies.

Event organiser Philip Holroyd- Smith said: “Once again, our lambing weekend has proved a huge success.

“We often see familiar faces who come back each year to enjoy the lambing activities.

“I can’t imagine there are many opportunities for people to get so very close to a newborn lamb and to actually witness one being born is incredibly special indeed.

“There were a number of occasions on Saturday when visitors let out a collective aaaaah as they saw a new lamb arrive.”

There were also tractors to explore and the pony rides proved particularly popular. The college dairy was open for milking demonstrations, while in the game and wildlife centre there was metal sculpting, make your own biodegradable plant pot and face painting.

All of which were provided by either Sparsholt students or lecturers from the motor vehicle, horticulture or Andover College’s beauty department.

The next open day is Saturday, 8 March, from 10am until 3pm while there will be an Easter bunny and chick weekend on 18 to 21 April and countryside day on Saturday, 17 May, from 9.30am to 5pm.

For more information, visit www.sparsholt.ac.uk or call 01962 776441.