LOCAL farmers are celebrating Love Lamb Week which runs until Wednesday.

Launched last year by Cumbrian sheep farmer Rachel Lumley to coincide with the peak autumn period for British lamb, it attracted huge public support.

About this week's event, she said: "I have been overwhelmed by the support generated so far in getting our message out to the general public.

"With local events hosted by farmers themselves and involvement from butchers, local pubs, restaurants and many others, the week aims to highlight that September is peak season for British lamb with a view to driving sales."

Tomorrow, Greg Dalton, sheep farmer and Northern region chairman of the National Sheep Association, will host lamb tastings at Wolsingham show in Weardale.

Working with the local branch of the NFU, the event is being supported by butcher Joe Simpson, who is supplying lamb tasters in the form of pasties and samosas. They will be available for showgoers between 11.30am and 1pm.

Upper Teesdale farmers, Tom and Kay Hutchinson, who starred in the successful film "Addicted to Sheep", are also backing the week.

Mrs Hutchinson said: "It's a great idea to promote the passion and dedication of our farmers producing a quality product that is second to none.

"Love Lamb Week does just that and I hope the week will bring some well-needed publicity in promoting the quality of locally-produced food."

The couple farm with their three children on a small, tenanted farm on the Raby Estate. It lies at 1,350ft above sea level and their hefted ewes run on Harwood Common alongside Cow Green Reservoir.

She said: "We run a flock of pedigree Swaledales with the prefix Kingshaugh and a handful of Herdwick ewes that are put to a Beltex tup.

"We are custodians of our beautiful landscape, maintaining the flora and fauna that Upper Teesdale is renowned for but, at the same time, having a viable farming business."

Passionate Swaledale breeders, they enjoy showing at High Force and Langdon Beck, as well as the Great Yorkshire Show each year.

They both also work away from the farm. Mr Hutchinson contract clips, has a night time lambing stint and stock dresses mainly mule gimmers for sale. Mrs Hutchinson is fieldsperson for Harrison & Hetherington at Middleton-in-Teesdale Mart.

"It is a job that gives me much pride," she said. "The quality of stock that is produced and forwarded for sale is outstanding and a credit to our many vendors."

See @LoveBritishLamb on Twitter or Facebook for sampling or celebration events. For lamb recipes see nationalsheep.org.uk/lovelamb and beefandlamb.ahdb.org.uk/love-lamb-week.