City farm shuts after cash crisis

Steps are being taken to find homes for the animals

Coventry's city farm will have to shut because of a lack of funds and volunteers, its leaders have said.

The farm, which has been running for 25 years in Hillfields, costs about £90,000 to keep going each year.

The city council had previously given £10,000 a year to the farm, but withdrew the funding, and a Big Lottery Fund bid was rejected.

Farm chairman Graham Partridge said they were already taking steps to find new homes for the animals.

Animal welfare

Mr Partridge, who was also one of the founder members of the farm, thanked everyone who had previously helped the organisation.

He said: "The only responsible thing we can do, because we don't see any future long-term funding coming through, is to close the farm while we are in a position to do so responsibly.

"We have already started to consider the welfare of the animals. That was one of the very first considerations.

"We will find homes for the animals and we are already starting that process now."