Dozens of people turned out to a welly throwing competition at the weekend to raise money for a farm helping vulnerable children and enjoy family-friendly activities.

Southampton City Farm on Green Lane in Redbridge hosted a Wacky Welly Day on Saturday which featured face painting, tombola and searching for the Lord Mayor’s chain of office.

The farm supports young adults and children with learning disabilities and is one of the Lord Mayor’s charities of the year alongside the Sea Cadets and the Saints Foundation.

The money raised will be used to help take care of the animals on the farm which include chickens, sheep and Penny the pig, as well as support the Lord Mayor's other chosen charities.

Lord Mayor Cllr Valerie Laurent said: “The event is being put on by City Farm to raise money for that charity and so a large proportion of what they make today will go to the charity pots.

“For me it's about promoting the farm and in that promotion let the children who don't have access to a garden know that they can come here, learn and have a wonderful time.

“This is a wonderful place which does a lot for the local community.”

Daily Echo: Community Lead at the farm, Tom Kitcher

Community lead at the farm, Tom Kitcher, 24, said: "The Wacky Welly Day is in partnership with the Lord Mayor to help us raise funds not only for our charity but also for the Sea Cadets and the Saints Foundation.

"And today is all about letting people in and enjoy their day and making them aware of our support and hopefully being able to raise funds to keep that work going."

He added: "We provide a lot of alternative provisions on the farm. Children who may not be comfortable in mainstream school can come to the farm and learn their normal curriculum.

"We try to get the young people to engage with the animals as much as possible so it can be anything from just having a lesson around them to scrubbing them and scrubbing their enclosures, feeding them breakfast and dinner."

The community event raised £1,200.