A FAMILY-run firm which spans three generations has unveiled plans to create a pioneering farm education centre in Pendle.

Brothers Simon and Nick Mellin are hoping to create the facility at their family farm, off Wheatley Lane Road, Fence.

It would include classrooms where people, including schoolchildren, could learn about sustainable farming.

And a cafe and farm shop selling produce such as meat and vegetables from the farm would also be created.

Pendle Council’s Barrowford and Western Parishes Committee will now decide whether to approve the plans at a future meeting.

The Mellin family has had a butcher’s shop in Every Street, Nelson, for 35 years.

It was set up by the brothers’ grandfather Joseph R Mellin, but is now run by father and son Geoff and Nick.

Last year Simon and Nick took the business to a new level by setting up Roaming Roosters, a company which rears its own free-range animals and then supplies them as meat to a number of retailers.

The brothers are hoping the proposed development, which would create six new jobs, would represent further progression.

Simon said: “We’re hoping to make it free of charge for people to have a look around the farm.

“When we started Roaming Roosters we set out to promote sustainable farming over everyone buying foreign meat.

“We’re all about sustainability, that’s our ethos and we’re trying to be as green as possible.

“Our approach is quite futuristic and we want the centre to be the showcase for that.”

Since being set up Roaming Roosters, which provides free range beef, lamb, pork and poultry, has gone from strength-to-strength.

The latest proposals include the creation of a path for people to walk around the farm and a car park for visitors.

According to Simon, his family are committed to helping boost the local economy.

He said: “The jobs would be created in the cafe and we would look to bring in a teacher for the education centre at a later stage. We have had a lot of support from local people and organisations and hopefully we will get permission.”

The planning application is being dealt with by committee because it relates to a Greenbelt site.