A FUNDRAISER set up in the wake of a Newton Abbot farm having its 5,000 hens culled after an outbreak of bird flu has topped £30,000.

The GoFundMe, which was only launched on Friday, Febraury 21, has raised £29,845 as of today, Monday, February 24.

It was set up to benefit Orchard Organic Farm, a poultry farm near Stokeinteignhead.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency culled all 5,000 of its birds on Friday following cases of avian flu identified on the farm.

In addition to the animals, around £7,000 worth of eggs and roughly £5,000 worth of chicken food was destroyed.

Speaking with John Acres on BBC Radio Devon, owner Jerry Saunders said it was ‘the most hideous thing’.

‘It is our business, we are a small farm, we have built it up from nothing, we have mortgages, bills to pay and a family to support’ Jerry said.

Jerry said the the business was ‘effectively gone as of today’ [Friday, February 21].

‘I am still struggling to get my head around it’ Jerry said.

Organised by Ellie Mitchell, the fundraiser has drawn lots of donations, including from Stokeinteignhead Parents Locals And Teachers association and local competition company, Competition Fox.

To donate, visit the GoFundMe website and enter ‘Orchard Organic Farm’ into the search-box, or click here.