A MINI FARM in Crossgates are in need of more volunteers to help take care of their animals.

Melville Mini Farm Park are looking for people to donate their time and provide care for their alpacas, sheep, deer, pigs and their Highland Cow.

Alan Melville, who owns the farm park, told the Press: "They can get involved at whatever level they want to. If they're just happy to come up for a couple of hours and just help with the animals then that's fine, or if they want to be more hands on they can come at the weekend.

"We don't push anybody, we just take people at any level they want to get involved."

Volunteering would be no walk in the park, however, as the team are looking for someone who can put in a hard graft. Tasks would include mucking out stalls and feeding the animals in all weathers. There are opportunities to be as hands on as you like, if you want to, and you can also volunteer at the Little Farmer Club or the Pony Club that run on the farm.

While it is hard work, it's also extremely rewarding and working with animals can be truly beneficial.

"It's quite rewarding work because it gets people out in the country," he said. "It's good for their mental health and it de-stresses people. Our animals are all tame, our deer are tame, you can go in and handle them and they come to you, it's very therapeutic.

"With animals, you just escape from the world for a while."

Those who are looking to volunteer don't need any previous experience working in a farm setting due to the kind nature of the tame animals on Melville Mini Farm Park, but they should be reliable, over the age of 16 and be able to make their own way into the farm as there is no bus servicing that area.

Alan added: "You don't need experience, just a willingness to do hard work. When you get bad weather and it's pouring with rain, it doesn't make any difference, the animals still need to be looked after so it can be a bit challenging sometimes when the weather is bad.

"It's definitely a commitment but good for people who love to be around animal.

"Some people aren't in a position to own an animal but they like being around them. Up here, you can come up, spend time with the animals, do some work, do some jobs and go home happy."

Melville Mini Farm Park are hoping to open fully next year, at which point paid positions on the farm would become available and those who already volunteering there would be the first to be offered any jobs.

To apply to volunteer at the mini farm park, get in touch with them through their Facebook page or call Alan on 07983 979897.