Last updated at 13:51, Monday, 12 July 2010

A HOBBY farmer is looking to sell his rare sheep after completing a life’s ambition.

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Mr Dixon with his rare ?? sheep

James Dixon, 70, from Dalton, is trying to find a buyer for his eight rare Black Welsh Mountain Sheep.

Mr Dixon, who owns an acre of land near Scales, said it was his life ambition to own a plot of land and keep animals – something he accomplished three years ago.

Now he is looking to sell the sheep, in the hope that they can bring someone else as much happiness as they have brought him.

He said: “I bought the plot of land and kept some chickens and other animals on it and then I realised I needed something to keep the grass down.

“I saw these Black Welsh Mountain Sheep and I thought they were gorgeous, so I decided to get some.

“But It’s just got to the stage where they are too much for me and I’ve had a bit of ill-health recently.

“I just feel that I have taken on too much.

“Old age has crept up on me slowly.

“I don’t want them to go to slaughter if I can help it.”

The retired shipyard worker said the best thing about keeping the animals was having the chance to get close to them and seeing the new born lambs playing in the spring time.

Mr Dixon said: “I saw one or two in a field one day and I just thought they were gorgeous, they’ve got lovely eyes.

“I didnt’t buy them to make money, they were just a pet, something to keep the grass down.

“But now they’ve got to go.

“I’ve enjoyed having them, it’s been brilliant.

“They’ve provided me with something to do, somewhere to go and potter about throughout the day.

“It is something I’ve wanted all my life.

“And I finally got it in the last two or three years.

“I’m quite content now.

“My life’s ambition has come to fruition you might say, having something like this.”

Mr Dixon is selling eight sheep, including a ram, three female sheep and four lambs.

For any enquiries, Mr Dixon can be contacted on: 07934763456

First published at 10:32, Saturday, 10 July 2010
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk