AN inspirational cerebral palsy sufferer from Trowbridge has appealed for someone to help him run his smallholding.

Chris Firmin, 32, who runs Greenacres Farm in Southwick, has always had an interest in animals and thought it would be a challenge to see if he could put his talents to farming.

He is offering up to £550 a week to a potential employee who can help to feed and water his birds and animals and look after him.

Mr Firmin set out more than five years ago to become a pig farmer, as well as to study for a PhD in clinical psychology at the University of Bath, which he completed last year.

He is now studying for a Masters degree in sports psychology at the University of the West of England in Bristol, as well as running his two-acre farm.

He uses a wheelchair to negotiate the muddy terrain of his fields, although he has got into some sticky situations since opening the farm. He said: “There have been a few moments where I’ve managed to get my wheelchair stuck in the mud but you have to just accept it and get on with things.”

Mr Firmin used to be looked after by his girlfriend Chloe Laws, who was his main carer, but she moved on earlier this year to study nursing and midwifery. He now runs the farm on his own, with help from other people whenever he can get someone to lend a hand.

Mr Firm has two sows, Honey and Betsy, a new boar and five piglets, as well as geese, ducks, turkeys and two kinds of chickens. He’s hoping soon to add four sheep to his farmyard menagerie.

He sells the pork from his Gloucester and Pietrain pigs mostly to local outlets and individual consumers.

He said: “Farming-wise, I need all kinds of help from feeding and watering pigs, birds and dogs daily, to creating and moving pens. I help and instruct with everything but it’s all pretty simple.”

He added: “Care-wise I’m so easy. I don’t have ‘accidents’, so it’s mainly housework, keeping the place clean.

“I need a hand using the loo, showering and dressing. It’s really easy, the first time can be slightly awkward, but then it’s fine.

“I also need you to cook and shove it in my face. It really is simple and I’ll explain everything. You don’t need any training.”

The position is being offered as a live-in and the person appointed will have their own bedroom, share a bathroom, a cupboard in the kitchen and a shelf in the fridge.

The pay is £78 per 24 hours, or £550 a week. Mr Firmin said: “Most people do two or three weeks each time but some stay much longer.”