RETURNING to the traditional process of building a hayrick meant Marc Trumper could feed his sheep all winter.

But the Dilwyn resident wants to hear from others about whether he is using the correct method.

The 48-year-old has a small patch of land which he uses to grow hay for his five sheep on his smallholding.

He cuts the hay using a sickle mower and turns it over by hand. He then puts it into a traditional hayrick.

Mr Trumper said: "That is the difficult part. You can find out how to make traditional hay but nobody has written anything to explain how to make it into a rick.

"I can't find anything written or any concrete evidence explaining how to make a rick. Whether each village had a different method I don't know.

"I saw some old black and white photos and tried to work out how to do it from that. I am pleased with the result."

On the photos farmers from days gone by used a thatched roof of straw on top of the haystack but Mr Trumper used tarpaulin instead.

The way the hay is brushed and angled on the sides meant that the hay is kept dry within the hayrick.

Mr Trumper, who is a joiner, said: "My grandfather was a farmer. Some of the idea came from what I can remember him talking about when I was a child."

He used nine-inch breeze blocks on the floor and two planks of timber. He then placed the hay on top and built it up.

His hayrick last year lasted all winter and provided food for his sheep from July to April.

Mr Trumper said: "Does anybody else in Herefordshire build hayricks? I would like to hear incase they have a better idea of doing it."

If you can help Mr Trumper then email marctrumper1970@hotmail.com