Lympstone Manor is best baaahhh none!

While shepherd's watched their flocks this Christmas, one group of lucky sheep were introduced to a new home - their very own vineyard.

The Powderham Estate located on the opposite side of the Exe Estuary to Lympstone Manor has a flock of Poll Dorset sheep tendered by Ben Mortimer from Exwell Barton, and for the duration of the this winter Ben has agreed to introduce 42 of his prized animals to the 11-acre site at Lympstone Manor Hotel until late February when winter pruning begins in readiness for the grape growing season.

A spokesperson for the hotel said: "The vineyard has been fenced off to contain the flock and they will be monitored on a daily basis to ensure that the base of the vineyard trunks are not damaged. Once they have grazed sufficiently they will be moved to another area of the vineyard.

"The introduction of sheep provides natural land management. They can thin out invasive overgrowth, keep the lush grass and weeds to a minimum, help nourish wildlife by encouraging the growth of healthy forage, and recycle vital nutrients back into the soil.

"The sheep will graze and leave their manure on the vineyard, increasing its organic matter and its ability to hold nutrients. It could also reduce the need for spraying thereby having a very positive environmental impact on the vineyard site."