A SHEEP farmer celebrated Christmas with a special present of more than 5,000 lambs.

The winter lambing season is well underway at Ducklington Farm, near Witney, and Randal Strainge has a big job on his hands with 3,500 ewes.

Lambing at this time of year, in preparation for market in Easter, is a family tradition for the Strainges, who have been farming in and around the village for five generations.

The new lambs provide some winter cheer for Mr Strainge’s three young daughters: Mary-Rose, seven, Eleanor, four, and Charlotte, three.

The 37-year-old said: “It’s going well at the moment and winter has been very kind to us so far.

“My three little girls aren’t quite old enough to help out yet, but they love coming up and holding them.

“Hopefully Santa will deliver me some strong and healthy lambs this season.”

The lambing will keep the family busy well into the new year.