When last Christmas was cancelled it was a huge blow for businesses and families across Kent when our plans to get together to eat and celebrate were left in ruins.

But, one Kent turkey farmer still managed to sell out of the traditional bird and experience his best year yet.

Jody Baxter speaking about turkey sales last Christmas

Jody Baxter, from Cottage Farm Turkeys in Sevenoaks, said the Covid-19 lockdown wasn't 'a disaster for turkey farms' due to the amount of people who couldn't go on holiday or eat in pubs.

The 39-year-old said: "Christmas wasn't a disaster for turkey farms. It was amazing.

"It was different yet incredible, a lot of people left their ordering late because it was all up in the air as to what the government were going to do.

"And then everyone was looking for small turkeys later on.

"But the industry as a whole, the farm fresh turkey industry, had an amazing Christmas for selling everything."

Although vaccines and booster jabs mean family and friends can celebrate the holiday together once again, last year Covid-19 meant many of us had to miss celebrations and meals.

On December 19, Kent was moved in to Tier 4 which meant everyone was required to stay at home, not allowed to mix with other households and Christmas plans were ruined.

With the last minute changes to people's trips away and pub lunches, people needed to find turkeys.

Jody said: "There were four million people that didn't go on holiday, so everyone needed a turkey.

"There are only so many turkeys that we sell, but we sold everything. Normally we'd have a little bit left after Christmas, but literally everything went last year.

"Whether there'll be enough of the turkeys this year I don't know."

Jody's parents brought the farm in 1978. The couple started with an incubator in their bedroom and slowly made it into the business it is today.

The turkeys come to the farm in June so they are ready for Christmas.

They start on the farm as day old chicks, in insulated buildings at 30 degrees which keeps them warm.

Slowly the temperature is reduced until they're strong enough to go outside at five or six weeks old.

The turkeys on the farm are free range and usually roam around in a field every day and are put away at night with the dog, Meg.

However, the birds were cooped up inside this year due to the government's efforts to control outbreaks of bird flu.

With life almost back to normal now, Jody says his turkey are selling, but this year, instead of leaving it until the last minute people have been ordering early.

Jody, who was born and bred on the farm, said: "It's a nice job to be honest, beats comuting into London every day!

"It's generally just a routine, it is very hard work for the first couple of weeks and then when you're plucking and processing them it can be quite a challenge.

"But generally it's quite good life I'd say."

All of the fresh turkeys are sold at the Cottage Farm Butchers at Polhill Garden Centre in Sevenoaks.

Last year was the first time Jody and his team started a delivery service.

People were able to order their turkeys through their website and there was also a click and collect service.

Jody said: "We obviously did this to keep the queues down in the shop and stop people going in the shop itself.

"It was our first time doing it and it was incredibly busy because people just jumped on it, it was amazing.

"But it was all new and it did add to the stress a little bit but we will be continuing it this year!"

The turkeys at Cottage Farm began getting processed for Christmas on Monday, December 6.

To find out more about the farm click here.