Lamb Watch is a worldwide hit

1:09pm Friday 4th April 2008

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A new website is showing the world what life is like on a West Craven farm during the lambing season.

Marlfield Farm, in Earby, has launched Lamb Watch, a live video and audio feed from the farm that beams images around the world via the internet.

Lamb Watch was the brainchild of Daniel Proctor, a web developer for Acorn Mobility in Steeton, who lives on the farm with his parents. He got the idea when he saw the interest generated by a similar website set up by one of his work colleagues.

"He has exactly the same set-up, but is directed at chickens. I thought that if people were interested in watching chickens, they might be interested in watching lambs too," said Daniel.

"There's been more interest in it than I expected. It's mental, really."

People have been logging on from as far afield as Australia, Chile and California to watch the live video stream.

"As well as being able to see the lambs and birds on the feeder, people can hear the animals and birds even if there's nothing actually in view," said Daniel.

Lamb Watch's popularity has been boosted after the website featured on the BBC's North West Tonight news programme.

"One night it featured the highlights of a birth right from start to finish," said Daniel

Lamb Watch, which can be viewed for free at lambwatch.co.uk, was also awarded the Webcam of the Day prize on Steve Wright's afternoon show on BBC Radio 2.