A volunteer-led farm and "much-loved community hub" has unveiled its new £35,000 toilet block following a donation by council contractors.

The new toilet block is the latest in a series of improvements at City Farm, a working farm located inside Bucknall Park.

It was built and donated by Lovell Renew as part of their contract with the Repairs and Maintenance Service at Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

The facilities are the latest in a series of improvements that have been made by Stoke-on-Trent Community Trust since they took over the running of City Farm in 2023.

James Phillips, Lovell Renew Central Refurbishment Director, said: "City Farm is a much-loved community hub and we're proud to be supporting in its revitalisation.

"Working alongside Stoke-on-Trent City Council and the volunteer team at City Farm, the delivery of this new toilet block is our way of supporting the team's commitment to ensuring the farm is enjoyed for many years to come.

"This is also a central part of our ongoing contribution to this great community."

The new facilities come as the Community Trust is working to bring the farm 'back to life', while helping to educate children and families and promoting a love of the outdoors.

At its height, City Farm had more than 120 animals and welcomed over 90,000 visitors per year.

It now has a range of animals, including sheep, goats, pigs, rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, geese, ducks, chickens and an aviary.

The farm also features a wildflower meadow, an allotment, an area for growing pumpkins and a pond with wild ducks.

A spokesperson for the City Farm team said: "Lovell, together with Stoke-on-Trent City Council, has made a huge difference to our farm.

"We're excited to grow and having these modern facilities means we can welcome even more visitors and volunteers.

"Volunteers and donations are vital for our work. We want to continue to expand what we do and welcome more animals, but every penny we raise goes back into the farm, so we rely on the generosity of the public and companies like Lovells."

Councillor Duncan Walker - Cabinet Member for Safe and Resilient Communities and Housing at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, as well as Ward Councillor for Baddeley, Milton and Norton - added: "I was delighted to see the work Lovell have completed at City Farm.

"The farm is much loved by the public and it's wonderful to see the work that Stoke-on-Trent City Council and its contractors can achieve in partnership together."

City Farm is free to enter and is open at weekends from 10am.

The city council added that there is a long-term plan of adding to visiting times in the future.

For more information about City Farm, visit the website here.