WESTERN Downland Primary School in Damerham celebrated the launch of its new nursery class with a farm open day.

Local children’s author Angela McAllister did the honours of cutting the ribbon to declare the nursery open at the event last Wednesday.

She also entertained them with some of her own books in a storytelling tent.

Children had the chance to milk a cow, well a model, grind wheat into flour and churn milk into butter.

They were also able to see a variety of livestock, including pigs, calves, sheep, goats, ducks, chicks and a pony as well as play on the tractors, both real and toy versions.

Beekeeper Reverend Rob Eardley brought along a glass observatory hive and the children got the chance to dress up in bee suits and handle all of the beekeeping equipment. They then had the opportunity to sample the honey with the butter they had churned themselves on fresh bread.

A school spokesman said: “We could not have wished for a better launch for our new nursery class and we would like to thank everyone who attended and who brought along their animals.”