CHILDREN soaked up the sights and sounds of the countryside on a visit to a farm estate.

Nearly 200 children from six schools in South Dorset attended the fifth annual Kids to Farm Day at the Charborough estate near Wareham.

They browsed around seven stands over a two-mile course at the event hosted by Richard Drax, the prospective Conservative MP for South Dorset.

Mr Drax said: “We were slightly apprehensive because of the scale of the day and of course our reliance on good weather. But we needn’t have worried. The sun shone and the youngsters had the time of their lives.”

The Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Jim Paice MP, also attended and met with children and teachers as well as members of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU). Ellie-May Vincent, from Bovington First School, said: “I really liked going to see the bee keeping because I learned that the Queen bee does not sting you.”

Ellie-May’s friend, Carrie-Jayne Crawshaw, added: “The activities were really good.

“Lots more people should be given the chance to be part of it.”

The youngsters found out where their food comes from as well as more about framing and the countryside.

Bovington First School headteacher Juliet Muir said: “Children and staff alike were enthralled by the countryside day hosted by the Charborough estate.

“As we walked around, we were met along the way by people who worked there.”