A NELSON man who runs a smallholding with a variety of rare animals is appealing for help with the family attraction.

Stan Jackson, 67, looks after the smallholding single-handed and says he would welcome help to run the place and offers of donations.

Hundreds of people have visited the Oak Ridge family farm, off Barkerhouse Road, in Nelson, since Stan opened it a few years ago.

His animals include a llama, highland cow, rare sheep breeds, Vietnamese pot-bellied pig, ducks, geese and turkeys. Stan, who lives in Pinfold Place, said it costs almost £100 a week to run the farm and that he spends almost all of his pension on the venture.

He said: "I've had the small-holding for the past 30 years, but its only recently I've realised that others are so interested in visiting. It gives me a great deal of pleasure, but it's especially nice to think that children and families enjoy it so much."

Stan, who worked for 17 years at Silentnight in Barnoldswick, suffers from emphysema and says he would benefit from a helping hand. He said: "Students from an agricultural college came and helped put up some fencing, but apart from that I haven't had any support. This is a community farm which offers a real attraction and it would be nice to think that maybe the council could help out." If anyone wants to help Stan with the farm they can reach him on 01282 605247.