A VILLAGE has come together to support a struggling farm.

Residents of Downe Village have taken their children around Christmas Tree Farm to show it is safe to visit after a recent national E coli scare has kept visitors away.

The farm in Cudham Road, Downe Village, usually attracts around 200 visitors a day but since the outbreak it has only seen a maximum of 30 visitors a day.

Farm manager, Paul Gubby, has also had to give away 11 of his animals following the decline as he could not afford to feed them.

Village residents, Nicola Hylands and Sarah Glossop, organised the trip to the farm which took place on October 16.

Mrs Hylands said: “We would like to show our support to the farm and give something back as it has supported our children’s school over the years.

“The farm is safe as long as you wash your hands. There has been no E coli outbreak at the farm.”

Parents of children who also attend Downe Primary School in High Elms Road, Downe, were given leaflets urging them to visit the farm.

The mum-of-two from Beechwood Avenue, Farnborough, added: “It has taken the village life away to be honest. It is dead here now.”

The farm has been there for more than 25 years and has a number of different animals including horses, sheep, cows, donkeys and chickens.

Farm manager, Paul Gubby, said: ““It is going to take a long time to get back to where we were, I don’t know what is going to happen.”

It relies on money from visitors to keep it going and charges a £3 entry fee per adult and £1.50 for children.

The farm usually attracts families and school visits and also makes money by selling plants, shrubs, and food and drink.

Mr Gubby also said there are notices all over the farm explaining to people about washing their hands after touching the animals and it is offering rubber gloves to visitors.

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