[Animals] Essex teenager Libby Lawrence shares her love of lambing

[MOHAMED]

"You see them all out in the field - that's the nicest feeling. When you're all done, they're out in the field and they're all growing," she said.

Hannah Lawrence
IMAGE SOURCE,BBC/MARTIN GILES
Image caption,
Libby's mother Hannah says her daughter easily found work on a local farm
Her mother Hannah Lawrence, 48, who works in marketing, said while her daughter's love of farming had been unexpected, she was impressed by how she had taken on such a responsible role.

"She's very dedicated - she's loved to learn... up at the farm and I think it's really important to get youngsters in farming," said Ms Lawrence.

"It's a business that needs a boost from kids coming through to take over and not just leaving [it to] the older generation.

"She's working hard, 12-hour days - she doesn't always do the night-time shifts but she's in all day, every day - keeping an eye on her flock and making sure everyone is safe."

Ms Lawrence added Libby had been fortunate to live in an area surrounded by farms and had easily found work.

Farmer Robert Prestney
IMAGE SOURCE,BBC/MARTIN GILES
Image caption,
Farmer Robert Prestney says the industry needs to attract more young people
Libby's boss, farmer Robert Prestney, 73, said his protege's reliability and enthusiasm made her a perfect fit on the farm.

"I am proud - it's nice to see youngsters doing well and enjoying what they're doing because farming's mainly old people really, like me.

"You do need younger ones coming in, with new ideas, and she has."

For now, Libby's experience on the farm has cemented both her love of animals and her future ambitions.

"I would love to have my own sheep, cows and pigs - a bit of a smallholding," she said.