CROWDS flocked to venues across Cambridgeshire for an insight into modern agriculture for Open Farm Sunday.

G’s Farm at Barway, near Ely, welcomed more than 2,000 visitors to its event and Agriculture Minister Jim Paice MP visited the Coldham Estate near Wisbech as the Co-operative celebrated 100 years of farming there.

Visitors to G’s took trailer rides around the farm, toured the radish factory and bought a huge array of fresh produce all grown by the company.

Chief exectuive John Shropshire said: “Open Farm Sunday was a fantastic occasion. The sun shone as more than 2,200 people descended on Barway, every stall and display was flat out and the tractor tours were a sell-out.

“It was a great local family event and one which we hope to continue for many years to come.”

About �3,500 was raised for the East Anglian Air Ambulance at G’s open day, which was manned by about 100 volunteers. The farm shop raised more than �1,000 for charity and sold more than 4,000 items of produce.

The barbecue also did a roaring trade, with 1,000 burgers all sold by 1pm.

The Coldham Estate took part in the first national farm pollinator survey on Open Farm Sunday, giving visitors the chance to find out more about why insects are vital and are worth more than �510million to the UK economy.

Other attractions at Coldham included farm tours, a chance to meet beekeepers, and a vintage machinery display.

Mr Paice, MP for SE Cambs, also joined visitors as they heard about The Co-operative’s ‘Habitat Heroes’ project and found out how the farm cares for the countryside and wildlife.