A church’s congregation has a new flock helping to maintain its grounds.

Goats and sheep, on loan from a nearby farmer, are nibblng away in the grounds of St Wilfrid’s Church in Calverley to keep them looking well-cared-for.

Guiseley farmer Andrew Emsley lends the animals to the church every spring for six months and St Wilfrid’s has also invested in four of its own goats, which are looked after by the church warden.

David Badger, a member of St Wilfrid’s, said: “We have let a wildlife meadow grow and put up bat and bird boxes. The Scouts have a wildlife corner and we’ve put new plants in and sectioned off an area where we grow flowers specifically for use in church.”

Because the church is next to Calverley CofE School, children “absolutely love” seeing the animals as they walk through the yard.