Mauchline's Mossgiel Organic Farm have revealed why a flock of sheep can be found at their farm- despite it being a dairy farm.

The farm take in the sheep over the winter months, due to their home in Muirkirk being a bit too cold and wet for the animals.

The sheep are also brought in to do a job of their own. They can graze the grass left over from summer when it’s wet and muddy, which helps the grass grow next spring and the carbon to be drawn into Mossgiel's soil.

"Their pointy little hooves squish all the old leaves and dead grass into the soil of the worms and microbes to eat - helping them stay healthy, and our paddocks soil stay active," said a Mossgiel representative.

They added: "In winter, believe it or not we get a lot of rain! Mix that in with cold conditions, lots of clay in our soils and cows which are not known to be the lightest animals on their feet and you have a recipe for conditions to rival a Glastonbury weekend in a storm.

"To avoid damaging our pastures, we bring the Mossgiel Girls into their barn for winter, but we still need to work the land; ensuring the natural fertiliser is cycling and to keep as many of the weeds down as we can, that’s where the Sheeps come in!

"So, if you’re passing our family farm sometime soon – be sure to give Dolly and her pals a wee wave; they’re doing some super important work out there."