ANIMAL-LOVER Peter Wayman is mixing business with pleasure - by opening a family farm.
Mr Wayman has spent the last eight months working around the clock to convert his former dairy farm in County Durham into a family attraction. The farm - housing an array of exotic animals including wallabies, monkeys, raccoons, prairie dogs, llamas and emus - opens today.
Mr Wayman, 38, said: "There is nothing like this for the children in this area, and all the family are animal-lovers, so it seemed like a great idea. It's been an awful lot of hard work - from 7am until 11pm most days - so I'll be glad when we finally get open."
Mr Wayman has lived in a caravan with his wife Denise, 34, and two sons, aged 12 and nine, while the work has been carried out.
Admission to the farm, in High Hesleden, near Blackhall, is £3.50 for adults and £2.50 for children, with under-twos free. It opens seven days a week from 10am to 5pm.
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