SIX years ago, a small Herefordshire farm opened its gates to bring a breath of therapeutic country air for people of all ages with learning difficulties.

The idea clearly struck a chord and Acton Mill Care Home in Suckley, close to the county borders with Worcestershire, has had to open its gates wider still. The 21-acre farm initially received a handful of visitors, now there's an average of 60 a day.

Service-users range in age from schoolchildren to pensioners, some with autism, some with Asperger's sydrome, all with varying degrees of learning disabilities. The combination of Acton Mill's picturesque setting, the socialising, the evident benefits from a varied livestock, have given the care farm a winning appeal.

deriving much from the open air environment, the socialising aspect and the evident therapeutic benefits from Acton Mill's livestock.

One of its directors, Philip Lane did not envisage such an impact initially. Made redundant from his Gloucester City Council job, he began helping as a consultant in community enterprise. At a training event, he met Rosemary Hooper, who at that time was looking after three people with disabilities at her Acton Mill home.

"She had an idea of looking after more people on the farm," said Philip. His previous job as assistant director with responsibilities for housing and leisure gave him the right credentials to help set the wheels in motion.

And so a not-for-profit-company was set up; the care farm was born. "I'm still astounded at how it's developed," he said. "We started on a shoestring, and we thought we'd struggle but when local authorities started cutting their budgets they were looking for private services.

"There is definitely a need for activities for people with disabilities," said Philip. "Care homes are now looking to Acton Mill to help them fulfil that responsibility."

"Quite a number of pupils are coming to the farm who were in danger of being excluded from the classroom," said Philip. "While they may not be doing well with their academic work in the classroom, they 're in their element on the farm and growing vegetables."

There are opportunities for educational qualifications such as City and Guilds, and other land-based studies.

The proof of the care farm's worth is clear. "We're getting good reports back from schools, and parents and carers are saying that behaviour has improved," said Philip.

Acton Mill offers educational qualifications such as City and Guilds' certificates and land-based studies.

Stocked with cattle, horses, donkeys, goats and poultry as well as rabbits and guinea pigs, there is a strong therapeutic value for service-users.

Duties for the farm manager, Rosemary's son, Matt include looking after the animals, and running a flock of sheep on 150 acres of rented land. His brother, Lewis has also come on board to help develop activities for service-users.

Said Philip: "With more people coming through, we have to plan activities, we don't want people to get bored!"

For more information go to Acton Mill Care Farm's website, www.actoncarefarm.co.uk