Rutland Farm Park is a popular local attraction and, like any working farm, experiences the incredible highs and devastating lows that come with working alongside animals.

While the team have welcomed a host of lambs, calves and other newborns this spring, the team have also lost one of these new additions despite tireless efforts from the staff and vets who care for the animals.

The team, headed up by Farmer Amy and hands-on parents Julie and Clive, have announced the sad loss of one of their calves.

Named by an Oakham Nub News reader, Bertha and Tweed were born in March. Sadly, and despite extensive efforts from the local veterinary team, Tweed has passed away.

As devastated as the team are, life on the farm continues for their collection of rare breed animals, so there has been little time for Amy and the hardworking volunteers and staff to mourn the loss of little Tweed.

'Bertha and Tweed' were named following an online competition hosted by Nub News, but sadly Tweed has passed away. Image credit: Rutland Farm Park.

As the summer months get heating up, the team continue to rescue and re-home as many animals as they can, as well as offering sponsorship packages to support the care of the long term farmyard residents.

While lamb feeding has now come to an end, visitors to the farm can still head to reception to find out about sponsoring animals, as well as adopting the smaller creatures - meaning that you can take a little piece of the wonderful rural attraction home with you.

The team said: "Did you know you can adopt a bunny from us? This means you can make a donation and give it a forever home with you.

"We are very particular on where the bunnies go, and if we feel you can't offer the right home, we will not accept that adoption. We re-home and rescue a lot of bunnies on the farm, so it is very important we find the right suitable home for them.

"If you think you can give a bunny a forever loving home, please get in touch."

You can find out more about adopting a bunny by emailing: [email protected]. Note, a minimum donation fee of £25 per bunny is charged to help with the ongoing expenses of running a rescue farm.

Can you adopt a rabbit? Image credit: Rutland Farm park.

Rutland Farm Park is owned by Clive and Julie and run day-to-day by their daughter, known fondly by the local community as Farmer Amy.

The working and play farm is supported by volunteers who, alongside the family-focused team, host a range of events throughout the year to entertain and educate the Rutland community.

Day-to-day, visitors can get up close with a range of rare-breed animals and enjoy grooming and petting sessions with rabbits, guinea pigs, goats and more furry and feathered friends. And this spring, you can join the fun as lambing and calving season ushers in the warmer - and hopefully drier - weather.

The team added: "Don't forget, we have a lot of renovation and changes coming this year, so please bare with us when walking around the farm park.

"We know this work is taking a lot longer than we thought, but let's face it, Rome wasn't built in a day."

Now is the time to head down to Rutland Farm Park to meet the new additions, adopt and sponsor an animal and enjoy the sun. Image credit: Rutland Farm Park.

Rutland Farm Park is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10am. No booking is needed, just turn up and enjoy the fresh air, meet and feed the collection of animals on the farm, and get in touch with nature.

Find Rutland Farm Park at:

Uppingham Road

Oakham

Rutland

LE15 6JD

The team serve home and handmade goodies at Daphne's Tea Room. Image credit: Nub News.

Don't forget, you can also swing by Daphne's Tea Room for a sweet or savoury snack or hot lunch, or join the team for Tots Thursday, which has proven popular following its return earlier this year.

Keep your eyes and ears peeled for more information about the upcoming bank holiday events set to take place at the farm at the end of the month!