A COMMUNITY farm which provides a home to more than 50 animals is facing closure due to a lack of cash.

It is the second blow to Lamont Farm, in Erskine, in the space of a few months, following an arson attack on March 31 which caused thousands of pounds worth of damage.

Staff have now issued an urgent appeal for help after being told they are no longer eligible for local grants and funding.

The site is the last surviving ‘city farm’ in Scotland and many of the animals, including horses, Shetland ponies, rabbits, llamas and goats, have either been rescued or retired.

It is feared most may now have to be put down if the farm can’t be saved.

Volunteer manager Yvonne Elliot said it takes between £55,000 and £60,000 per year to run the farm.

“The money is spent making sure the animals have what they need,” she added. “Funding towards this project has decreased every year.

“Now we have been faced with the devastating news that funding has been cut from traditional sources such as local authority grants.

“We are not trying to scare anyone but the reality is that, without funding coming in, we will be forced to close.

“We are only a few years off celebrating the farm’s 50th birthday but, at present, it looks unlikely that we will make it that far.”

The farm, which first opened in 1977, is planning to host an open day on July 29 to raise much-needed funds.

A GoFundMe page has also been set up, with a target of £10,000.

Within 24 hours of it being launched, around 200 people had donated more than £3,400 to the worthy cause.

Yvonne added: “Any money raised will keep us afloat for another wee while.

“While donations are down, we are facing the same high costs that everyone is facing. Our feed bills have doubled in price over the past couple of years.

“We cannot afford to keep going with no funding, that is for sure.

“We have tough times ahead but we won’t go down without a fight.”

In April, The Gazette told how a a cabin in the farm grounds had been set on fire in a mindless attack.

Firefighters managed to extinguish the flames before any animals were injured.

However, thousands of pounds worth of damage was caused after petrol and a rag were used to start the blaze.

In a further blow two weeks ago, a sneak thief stole cash and jewellery from the farm’s office.

Anyone who would like to make a donation to the farm can do so online at https://gofund.me/c6ff03ad