Adorable arrivals - did you get up close to new-born lambs?
Children from Stratford St Mary playgroup meet spring lambs in January 1996 - Credit: Archant
New-born lambs must be one of the loveliest sights of spring in East Anglia each year.
Feeding spring lambs at the annual Easter egg hunt at the Anchor Inn Heritage Farm, Nayland, near Colchester in 2009 - Credit: Andrew Partridge/Archant
Children in particular are thrilled by getting a close-up view of these adorable new arrivals, with many farms around the area normally holding lambing events each year.
Children help to feed a lamb at Thorpe Hall Farm, Grundisburgh, in February 1969 - Credit: Archant
Sadly, the public can't currently be welcomed to see lambs as usual in Suffolk and Essex, due to lockdown restrictions.
DJ David Hamilton at Parkers Garden Company in Frinton feeding spring lambs with youngsters who had taken part in a mini-garden design competition as part of Frinton in Bloom in 2007 - Credit: Jerry Turner/Archant
But today we are looking back at some of the close encounters with woolly youngsters which people have enjoyed over the years.
Mr Welham, a shepherd at Barking, was photographed with spring lambs in March 1964 - Credit: Archant
Although spring is the season when most lambs are born, ewes can give birth any time between November and May.
Families getting close to sheep during Foxburrow Farm lambing day in 2002 - Credit: Jamie Niblock/Archant
It is estimated 16 million ewes give birth every year in the UK.
Cuddling a Jacobs lamb at Easton Farm Park in 2004 - Credit: John Kerr/Archant
If these photos bring back memories, email judy.rimmer@archant.co.uk
To order copies of photos, visit our website or call Diane Townsend on 01603 772449.
Children gather round two pet lambs in a baby's cot at Barking Parish Church in April 1972. The lambs - pets of Ian and Angus Hamilton - were a feature of the Good Shepherd Sunday morning service - Credit: Archant
