AN Oldham petting farm is inviting families to bottle feed its baby lambs and bathe a giant tortoise this Easter.

Lancaster Park & Animal Farm on Middleton Road in Chadderton has welcomed baby chicks, lambs, and goats this Easter as well two giant Sulcata tortoises and three continental rabbits.

From Friday April 8 to Sunday April 24, the farm will be running two lamb feeding sessions daily at 9.30 am to 2.30pm and on Wednesdays and Saturdays visitors will have the chance to bathe Tilly a giant Sulcata tortoise.

Lily Lancaster, who runs and co-owns the farm with her brothers John and David, said: “We’re excited to have lots of newborn animals at the farm.

"Easter activities were restricted last year due to social distancing but this year there will be a lot more interaction with the lambs that can be stroked and bottle-fed.”

The farm has recently rescued two giant Sulcata tortoises, the third-largest species of tortoise in the world, as well as three continental rabbits.

Work is currently underway to create an outdoor run for the tortoises and an assault course for the rabbits.

Discussing life on the farm, Lily said: “No two days are the same. You are always thinking on your feet. Having the animals is amazing and I love working with them.”

Lily’s late father Benjamin Lancaster opened the farm in 2011. The eldest of three brothers Benjamin left school at 14 to support his family after his father passed away.

He started his working life as a coal miner before moving into demolition.

In 1960 he bought some farmland in Chadderton where he built a home and raised his family alongside his wife Lily and kept a small selection of animals including chickens and pigs which local children would visit.

Benjamin repurposed materials from his work in demolition and was eventually able to build a farm that he could open to the public.

Remembering her dad Lily said: “This farm was his life ambition. Looking after animals and teaching children about them was his passion.”

She added that the farm has tried to keep ticket prices down, they are currently £6 per person, as her dad’s wish was for the farm to be accessible to families of all backgrounds.