SCHOOLCHILDREN were set a woolly challenge to create life-sized sheep models for a farming competition.

More than 45 primary schools from throughout Suffolk submitted the sheep entries for the first part of the new Suffolk Farming School of the Year initiative launched by the Suffolk Agricultural Assocation and Cook With Me Kids.

The entries seemed quite at home grazing at Trinity Park, where they were judged by members of the Suffolk Show committee.

Judges said it was not an easy choice, even for the sheep farmers among the judges, due to the incredible imagination, creativity and high standard.

Among the entries were sheep made from recycled materials, others from various treatments of wool, and one had donned a pair of Wellington boots.

Suffolk Agricultural Association education officer Hannah Woods praise the variety and high standard of entries.

“This initiative has really caught the imagination of the Key Stage Two pupils who have been so enthusiastic and it is clear from the entries that there has been a lot of classroom discussion,” she said.

“Anyone who has seen them in the office has been overwhelmed by how fantastic they are. The judging was not an easy task.”

After careful deliberation five winners were selected. These were Mendlesham Primary; Barnham Primary, Thetford; Britannia Primary, Ipswich; Heath Primary, Kesgrave and Acton Primary School, Sudbury.

Teams from the schools went forward into the next stage yesterday.

They took part in a day of workshops about sheep, their provenance, butchery and cooking.

From there two finalists will be selected to compete in a cook–off at the Farminanglia marquee during Suffolk Show 2013 on May 29-30, where all the sheep will be grazing for visitors to admire.