KEEPING hens has become a popular hobby, with families enjoying fresh eggs collected from their own garden.

Here we take a look at a selection of images taken over the years including Bradley Primary School pupils Imogen O'Keefe and Niamh Kirwin getting to grips with two of the school hens in 2011. Pupils at the school sold eggs to raise cash for school funds.

On the opposite page are more images of our feathered friends, including an image of Neil Whitaker's hen coop in Wilsden, which was fitted with a webcam and attracted a huge following back in 2003.

As hen owners say, hens all have their own personalities, making it a rewarding hobby.