They are popular attractions and even boast their own social media page with hundreds of followers.

But now sheep grazing at a clifftop church are set to be boosted by a special "first" - as two new Suffolk lambs prepare to join the flock.

For a number of years the Pakefield sheep have taken centre stage and captured the attentions of crowds of onlookers as they walk past the churchyard at All Saints & St Margaret's Church in Pakefield, Lowestoft.

Lowestoft Journal: Rodney, Poppy, Skye and Sparkle all enjoy the surroundings as they live at Pakefield Church. Picture: Mick HowesRodney, Poppy, Skye and Sparkle all enjoy the surroundings as they live at Pakefield Church. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

With Rodney - a Suffolk Ram - joined by three Soay sheep called Poppy, Skye and Sparkle - they all enjoy the surroundings as they live at Pakefield Church.

As the Suffolk is a rare British breed of domestic sheep, the church has been searching for new Suffolk lambs to join the flock over recent months.

Lowestoft Journal: Rodney with Poppy, Skye and Sparkle at Pakefield Church. Picture: Mick HowesRodney with Poppy, Skye and Sparkle at Pakefield Church. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

And now the beautiful clifftop setting is soon to feature two new March-born spring lambs, which a team of parishoners are currently caring for - as community shepherds.

Lowestoft Journal: Winnie the sheep and Roo, with Matilda and Martha Pastre and Katey and Evelyn-Jo Mills. Picture: Mick HowesWinnie the sheep and Roo, with Matilda and Martha Pastre and Katey and Evelyn-Jo Mills. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Katey Mills, who is the children, youth and families minister at Pakefield Church, said: "We wanted to carry on having sheep in our churchyard as we know people love seeing the sheep.

"The Suffolk is a rare breed, so we have been in touch with local farmers leading to the arrival of Roo and Winnie."

With Mrs Mills collecting the 12 to 14-week-old lambs and training them in the garden of her home in Lowestoft, she said: "The intention was to look after them ahead of them becoming part of the flock and being unveiled at the summer fete.

"But a week into having them, Winnie sadly woke up with no use of her back legs - it literally happened overnight."

With a deficiency and hindlimb paralysis, prognosis was not good for the young ewe.

"We took her to the vets and was told she needed to be put down," Mrs Mills said.

"But we didn't give up, we felt like Winnie and Roo were given to us a gift - and Winnie has a quality of life, so we decided to care for her."

Calls, emails and messages followed as Mrs Mills set off on a mission to find Winnie a wheelchair.

It led to a meeting with the Sudbury-based Winston's Wheels - a charity for dogs that need help to stay mobile, by providing wheelchairs and strollers for the pets.

Lowestoft Journal: Winnie the Sheep with Katey and Evelyn-Jo Mills. Picture: Mick HowesWinnie the Sheep with Katey and Evelyn-Jo Mills. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

After assessing Winnie, and checking if it was possible to fit the ewe with 'cart wheels', there was joy as the Winston's Wheels charity said it was "the first wheelchair sheep" that they had ever helped - as she scooted off with her new set of wheels.

Mrs Mills said: "It was a proper emotional moment seeing her on wheels and scooting around as they had funded the wheelchair for Winnie.

"We are very grateful to Winston's Wheels.

Lowestoft Journal: Winnie the wheelchair sheep. Picture: Katey MillsWinnie the wheelchair sheep. Picture: Katey Mills (Image: Katey Mills)

"She has taken to them really, really well.

Lowestoft Journal: The equipment used. Picture: Katey MillsThe equipment used. Picture: Katey Mills (Image: Katey Mills)

"She loves them - it has certainly given her a new lease of life.

Lowestoft Journal: Rachel Wettner and Elaine Hockey from the Winstons Wheels charity with Winnie. Picture: Katey MillsRachel Wettner and Elaine Hockey from the Winstons Wheels charity with Winnie. Picture: Katey Mills (Image: Katey Mills)

"Obviously we don't know how long it will last, but she is fighting and we will fight for her too."

Lowestoft Journal: Winnie and Roo. Picture: Katey MillsWinnie and Roo. Picture: Katey Mills (Image: Katey Mills)

Passionate about how animals can help with well-being, Mrs Mills said they have a positive effect on young people's mental health and she always likes to use animals with her church youth work.

Lowestoft Journal: Winnie the sheep with Katey and Evelyn-Jo Mills. Picture: Mick HowesWinnie the sheep with Katey and Evelyn-Jo Mills. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

"We feel that the Pakefield sheep are very much a community asset, but they also have a much wider following," Mrs Mills said.

As activities for all attracts the crowds to the clifftop Pakefield Church setting next month, the fun-filled annual summer fete will return.

Lowestoft Journal: Winnie and Roo in Pakefield. Picture: Mick HowesWinnie and Roo in Pakefield. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Mrs Mills said: "Rodney, Skye, Poppy and Sparkle will be at the church summer fete on Saturday, July 15 - but this will also be the first chance for people to come and meet Winnie and Roo too."

Lowestoft Journal: Winnie and Roo. Picture: Katey MillsWinnie and Roo. Picture: Katey Mills (Image: Katey Mills)

Rector of Pakefield Church, Rev Sharon Lord, added: "The sheep are such an important part of our church."