Manningtree’s newest neigh-baas have had their first visitors – a group of local nursery children who came to learn all about the flock.

City & Country’s Manningtree Park development welcomed a flock of 20 rare breed sheep to take up residence last month.

The delightful new additions are now settled into their new home and youngsters from nearby Little Pumpkins nursery, were invited to come and say hello.

The children had been commissioned to design wonderfully creative illustrations of the ewes, to be used within the site’s safety signage, and also offered the exciting task of naming the new neigh-baas.

The children, aged three to four, began their visit with an in-person introduction to the sheep by City & Country’s estate and farm manager Faye Barson.

Faye shared fun facts about the mixed herd of Portland, Manx and Hebridean sheep, some of whom she reared by hand, and let the children feel horn samples of their new fluffy friends.

The youngsters also witnessed Faye feed the sheep while she explained how they offer a more sustainable way to maintain some of the green spaces and promote an eco-friendly environment.

Tracy Starling, director at Little Pumpkins Nursery, said: “This activity really spurred the imagination of our children, and they absolutely loved getting to meet the real deal in person.

“It is definitely something memorable, which they will take home and talk about – I think it’s lovely for them to play a part in such a local, heart-warming story, and learn more about our local countryside.

“We may have some future farmers on our hands.”

To match the three different breeds of sheep on site, three separate names were selected.

The winning names, ‘Fluff’ by Eleanor, ‘Pumpkin’ by Polly and ‘Teddy’ by Archie, were engraved onto a collar and placed on a toy sheep for the young winners to take home.

Shelley West, sales and marketing director at City & Country said: “We love any chance to get involved with the local community – especially when the results are so creative.

“With so much open, green space available for residents and the community, our new woolly residents are the perfect addition - and inviting these local children to formally welcome our ladies into the fold was the cherry on the cake.”

Prices for homes at Manningtree Park range from £350,000 to £1,025,000.

Go to cityandcountry.co.uk.