EXCITED children held cute day-old chicks in their hands and snuggled into newborn baby lambs.

A Cheshire family farm hosted their first ever special hands-on event to celebrate spring at Bidlea Dairy.

The Brown family has run the dairy farm at Orchard Farm in Twemlow for three generations.

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Ray and Jill are at the helm whilst son Adam and Becky run the dairy and son Ryan and wife Becky look after the farm.

Knutsford Guardian: Children were excited to hold day-old chicksChildren were excited to hold day-old chicks (Image: Bidlea Dairy)

A farm shop and café selling their award-winning ice cream has been attracting a record number of visitors.

Jill said: “A lot of our regular visitors asked what we were doing during Easter and within two weeks we planned and put on the Springtime event.

Knutsford Guardian: Children were thrilled to hold newborn lambsChildren were thrilled to hold newborn lambs (Image: Bidlea Dairy)

“We thought it would be nice to do something for families so their children could get a taste of hands-on farming and meet the animals.

Knutsford Guardian: Children were able to meet Judith the cowChildren were able to meet Judith the cow (Image: Bidlea Dairy)

“We didn’t know how it would work but we’ve been delighted with the response and support we have had locally and from outside the area.

Knutsford Guardian: Rachel Martin with daughter, Darcie, two, on a tractorRachel Martin with daughter, Darcie, two, on a tractor (Image: John Williams)

“It will also allow some children to enjoy a taste of farm life and be up close to animals perhaps for the first time.”

Youngsters were able to meet Judith the cow and stroke donkeys Florey and Eric in their new enclosure.

Knutsford Guardian: Ryan Brown demonstrated how Judith the cow is milkedRyan Brown demonstrated how Judith the cow is milked (Image: John Williams)

Children had fun digging big spuds up from the soil and diving into straw to collect big balls of ‘plastic poo’ in a pig pen.

Knutsford Guardian: Children had fun collecting plastic 'poo balls' in wheelbarrows in a pig penChildren had fun collecting plastic 'poo balls' in wheelbarrows in a pig pen (Image: John Williams)

Ryan demonstrated how to milk a cow and the family and staff were on hand to show visitors what life was like on the farm.

Knutsford Guardian: Children have fun with diggers in a sand pitChildren have fun with diggers in a sand pit (Image: John Williams)

It is exactly four years since the farm first sold their own homemade ice cream, which has since won international awards.

Knutsford Guardian: Children made their own sheep in the craft areaChildren made their own sheep in the craft area (Image: John Williams)

Bidlea now rotates 24 different flavoured ice creams, made from milk and cream from their Holstein Friesian herd.

Children were able to have a go at milking a model cow, grooming a cardboard Highland cattle and learning how to plait a pony’s tail.

Knutsford Guardian: Ella Hyde, seven, and sister Isabella, six, plaiting ponytailsElla Hyde, seven, and sister Isabella, six, plaiting ponytails (Image: John Williams)

Each session over the Easter school holidays was sold out.

Adam said: “We want to say a massive thank you to the local community.

Knutsford Guardian: Chloe Burt and four-month-old baby Siddy, with nephews Reggie Rebbeck, five, and brother Arthur, four collecting eggsChloe Burt and four-month-old baby Siddy, with nephews Reggie Rebbeck, five, and brother Arthur, four collecting eggs (Image: John Williams)

“We are blown away by all your support.

“We have had so much fun and received incredible feedback.”