Celebratory open day

REPRIEVE . . . Lily Lancaster with Bambi the orphaned American elk

Lancaster Park and Animal Farm in Chadderton is to celebrate its reprieve from closure with a free open day on March 2.

The event - to thank supporters - will raise money for the charity Help for Heroes.

The park and animal farm, in Middleton Road West, was set up by Ben Lancaster (72) in 2011 and attracted thousands of visitors a year. But Oldham Council ordered the farm to close since it didn;t have planning permisssion.

After an appeal, a planning inspector ruled the farm could stay.

Ben’s daughter Lily, who helps to run the farm with her brothers John and David, said: “This is great news. My dad set up the farm because he wanted to educate children about wildlife. The free day is to thank everyone who supported us.”