In a bid to appeal to small children and link with schools, Cleethorpes theme park, Pleasure Island, is investing £500,000 on a petting farm and tractor ride this winter.

The £150,000 tractor ride will replace the electric monorail, but instead of running through empty paddocks, it will take children on a tour of sheep, cows, pigs and miniature horses.

When the new attractions open for for the 2013 season, the ticket price will stay the same.

Owner, Melanie Wood, hopes it will bring more people and add value. "Some of the rides we have are too big for those around the age of nine and below," she says. "Building a farm will hopefully give them a lot more to do and see. I also want to attract more schools to spend the day here with this new farm. I think it can have a great educational side."

Around £350,000 will be invested in landscaping, fences and sheds to make the land suitable for animals.