Plans for a new petting farm in Eccleshill have been approved by Blackburn with Darwen Council.

Heath Kershaw, 38, and his wife Kathryn, 31, will convert buildings at Davyfield Farm, Roman Road, to a farm park and alpaca centre.

The couple already run a mobile farm, Wellybob’s Roadshow, which visits nurseries, schools, private parties and retirement homes.

During the mobile visits, people get to interact with a variety of animals, such as goats, ponies, pigs, alpacas, rabbits and guinea pigs.

The plans will see the farm transformed into an all-weather educational and recreational centre.

There will also be a cafe and shop selling garments and products created from the resident herd of alpacas, which have been breeding for five years.

The project could create 10 short-term construction jobs, and 16 permanent jobs.

Mr Kershaw hopes to open the park by Easter.