There’s no better way to welcome in spring than enjoying a cuddle with a newborn lamb.Chris Price reports fromthe Rare Breeds Centre.

The noise is unmistakable. Approaching the covered stables at the Rare Breeds Centre, what was a distant buzz quickly turns into a cacophony of bleating lambs.

The lambing season has arrived and newborns are taking their first knock-kneed, shaky steps under the watchful eye of their mums. That said, the ewes are very laid back as their offspring clamber on bales of hay to say hello to wide-eyed children and families.

The sheep have grown up with humans visiting every day and are extremely comfortable with the high footfall around their home. Consequently, the lambs are at ease too and much more inquisitive creatures than they would be in a field on a private farm.

Hold up your child so they can reach over the barrier and two or three other lambs will quickly come over to see what all the fuss is about.

Stick out your finger and they will suckle away, until they realise they have been duped.

This year the Rare Breeds Centre will host its lambing weekend in their newly-refurbished barn by the entrance of the 100-acre working farm.

Stepping inside the pens, children will be quickly surrounded by friendly, expectant lambs. It is a Kodak moment every time but do not feel pressure to be at the ready with the camera, reminding the children to use their best-practised smile. The little creatures are happy to sit around and be stroked, which means every picture can be taken at its own pace.

“Few things in life are as cute and appealing as newborn lambs,” said events and marketing manager Nikki Sara. “This is a great opportunity to have a cuddle with them and you can help feed them too. Easter lambing is always popular and when you get to hold one of them you know exactly why.”

It will not just be the lambs vying for affection. Newly-born piglets, chicks, goats and calves will be finding their feet at the centre, all ready for a cuddle and a picture.

Picking up a piglet is much like holding a kitten, although they are a little more unsure when it comes to human contact. Inevitably, the piggies will let out a squeal to grab mum’s attention and be sure to keep a firm grip as they wriggle for their picture. Cute as they are, it is hard to imagine them growing to their parents’ size, weighing 260kg and holding the power of a 4x4 in their sturdy legs.

When you are done petting, there are Easter activities going on across the centre, such as a chocolate bunny hunt and a falconry display.

Another favourite attraction is the centre’s pig racing. This trotter-pounding gallop round an obstacle course is helped by members of the audience, who stand on the route to make sure they go the right way.

At the end of day at the Rare Breeds Centre you leave a little muckier but a lot happier.

Also hosting lambing weekends over Easter

Kent Life, Maidstone

Good Friday to Easter Monday

See the ewes give birth and bottle-feed the older lambs. There will also be goat kids, wiener piglets, young calves and chicks. Families can also try water zorbing, take a tractor ride round the farm, whiz round the track on junior quad bikes and ride round the orchard on a donkey. A traditional spring fete will be in full swing in the village hall.

Admission £8.95, concessions £7.75, children £6.50, under-threes free. Call 01622 763936 or visit www.kentlife.org.uk

Broadlees Farm, Deal Road, Dover

Until Sunday, April 15

Come along and hold a lamb and walk through the farm.

Open 1.30pm to 4pm. Admission £3.50, children £2.50.

The Woodlands Farm Trust, Welling

Sunday, April 15

Meet the latest arrivals and celebrate spring. Visitors can also pick up some local produce including home-made preserves, cakes and honey. Children can take part in a treasure hunt and craft activities.

Admission free. Call 020 83198900 or visitwww.thewoodlandsfarmtrust.org

The lambing weekend at the Rare Breeds Centre, Woodchurch, near Ashford, takes place from Good Friday to Easter Monday from 10.30am to 5.30pm. Admission (with Gift Aid) £9.95, seniors £8.50, children £8, families £28. Call 01233 861493 or visit www.rarebreeds.org.uk