Edie delivers on work experience week as more than 30 lambs are born

Edie Williamson (17) from Lowestoft has been on work experience at Meen's farm and has been involved helping deliver lambs.PHOTO: Nick Butcher (Image: (C)archant2016)

For 17-year-old Edie Williamson, that experience proved to be as hands-on as it gets, helping to deliver more than 30 lambs at Meens Farm in All Saints South Elmham, Suffolk.

The teenager, who is studying for A-levels in biology, chemistry and maths, has applied to study veterinary sciences at university and her week on the farm is certain to help her stand out in one of the most highly-competitive professions.

The new-year arrivals included five sets of triplets and five sets of twins. Gail Sprake, who along with her husband has farmed the 600-acre site for more than 30 years, said: 'It has been five years since we have had triplets, and then all these.

'Edie has been an absolute star – she had never actually handled a sheep before she came here.

'She was able to watch when one of our ewes needed a caesarean and even delivered another lamb by herself.'

Edie, from Lowestoft, said: 'I have done work experience before but you are not allowed to do very much so this was very hands-on, and I was able to get stuck in.'

Edie was given an extra day holiday from Lowestoft College in order to see the lambing process through to the end, and has been bottle feeding some of the newborns with special lamb milk.

Two of the lambs have been named Eddie and Edie, in honour of the young farm hand.

Mrs Sprake, whose daughter is a vet and now lives in Texas, added: 'It's very hard to get veterinary experience – you can go to a veterinary practice but you can only sit and you watch because of health and safety rules and insurance regulations.

'So this was truly hands on and hands in. Edie was a totally blank canvas, but she was able to learn so much in a few short days.'

Have you taken part in an unusual work experience placement? Email lynn.crombie@archant.co.uk