SPRING has definitely sprung, and doesn’t Smithills Open Farm know it!

The “real” working dairy farm which is open to the public 362 days of the year, welcomed 146,000 visitors last year.

They all roll up to see the home to traditional farm animals such as cows, sheep and pigs.

One of the managers, Louise Blundell, who has worked at the farm since its infancy, has seen “massive” changes since it opened in 2001.

She said: “We do more and more activities every year. We are always looking to improve and we make improvements every year. We do massively grow each year.”

The farm in Smithills Dean Road now makes its own ice cream and started a milk round in January which already serves 700 customers.

Daily activities open to the public at the farm include donkey, tractor and trailer rides as well as cow milking and calf feeding.

It also has a variety of zoo animals such as owls, snakes and lizards.

New pets’ corners were built two years ago, according to one of the farm’s managers.

The farm, which employs 70 members of staff, attracts visitors from across the North West.

On a typical day, it hosts 12 school visits, mostly from Greater Manchester but also from parts of Lancashire.

Now the farm has asked to keep its car park to accommodate the thousands of visitors it brings to Bolton every year.

Smithills Open Farm, which welcomed 146,000 visitors last year, has asked for planning permission to keep its 215-space car park which was built five years ago.

Miss Blundell said that the car park fills up during busy periods and at the weekend.

She said: “Easter is our busiest time of the year. May half terms are also really busy.”

The farm also hosts birthday parties.

Planning officers at the town hall will decide whether Smithills Open Farm can keep its car park now that a planning application has been submitted. A decision is due by mid-June.