A FARM park which has attracted more than one million visitors since opening its doors could be on the move.

East Links Family Park, near West Barns, has become a popular family attraction since it opened in 2002.

Now the team behind it is looking at the possibility of moving to a larger site near East Fortune.

Grant Bell, managing director and owner of East Links Family Park, felt that it was an exciting opportunity, which would see him join forces with the Brand family at East Fortune Farm.

Mr Bell, who also owns Clyde Valley Family Park in Lanarkshire, said: “We have gone 25 years where we are.

“It is a small site and we are tied by the terms of the lease and some of them probably are not the way I would prefer to go.

“We own the site at Lanark and I have found a family who have got all my values as far as agriculture and trying to teach the public about farming values and farm to plate.

“My product will be a good fit and their product will be a good fit.

“It is an ideal merger and a beautiful site in the heart of East Lothian.”

The park, to the west of West Barns, is home to a variety of animals, ranging from cows, sheep, goats and pigs to donkeys, geese, prairie dogs, llamas and wallabies.

In addition, there are a number of other attractions, including a musical maze, play park, go-karts and a safari train.

The new farm would be spread over more than 80 acres, with most of the site remaining in farming use.

Mrs Brand has already been in touch with neighbouring farms about the possible link.

She said: “It has not been a closely guarded secret but now at last we can formally confirm that the Brand family of East Fortune Farm are working closely with the Bell family of East Links Family Park and Clyde Valley Family Park to bring East Links Family Park to East Fortune Farm.

“This will see our mutual family farming values and experience come together to back up our livestock breeding, egg production, Brand Family Larder, caravan sites and, of course, our new monthly Sunday markets.

“Only by diversifying and being more efficient is it possible for small farms to survive.

"The Brand family are thrilled to be sharing this news with you; that this merger between these two families will guarantee the survival of both businesses.

“The Brand family have had a tough time over the last two years and the business will benefit from increased viability.

“East Links is running down the clock on its current lease and has to vacate the current site by September 2026.

"Going forward, the two businesses will compliment one another and the result will be a high-quality sustainable visitor attraction that will be an asset to the county of East Lothian.”

APT Planning and Development have already been in touch with East Lothian Council’s planning department.

It is understood that early proposals will be submitted to the council within a matter of days, with public consultation beginning towards the end of next month.