HOW do you boost tourism in North Weald?
Why, it's "simples" – you introduce three meerkats.
Ashlyns Farm's newest additions, Sid and Nancy, named by one of the volunteers who is a fan of the Sex Pistols, have been a great success among visitors.
The farm in Epping Road took on the pair of breeding meerkats in June last year and they have subsequently attracted great interest.
The country has become fanatical about the furry creatures over the last few years thanks to Alexander Orlov, the fictional Russian meerkat who is the star of T V's Compare the Market adverts.
Rob Dixon, manager at Ashlyns Farm, said: "They are three years old and we are hoping that they will breed.
"Nancy has put on weight so we are crossing our fingers that she is pregnant. She is the more timid of the two and Sid is quite brave.
"The pair are really popular as they are a bit different.
"Most people who come here are expecting the usual farm animals and are quite surprised to see the meerkats.
"They definitely get the public interest and the children love them.
"After the Compare the Meerkat adverts all the school children are really into them and all say 'simples' and copy each other.
"All the meerkats in the media have definitely spurred on the interest.
"The numbers of visitors have definitely picked up in the last few months and we've been very busy, particularly over half term.
"The soft play area used to be the most popular area for children but the meerkats have brought their focus on to the farm and now the animal part is busier."
The meerkats join a wide range of animals at Ashlyns, including lambs, rare breeds of pig, sheep and cattle and more exotic animals such as monkeys, llamas, emus, wallabies and rheas.
The appealing little animals live in large packs in the wild and are known for standing on their hind legs to observe the environment. Although naturally found in the Kalahari Desert in Southern Africa, the meerkats appear happy in the UK.
Mr Dixon added: "The meerkats love to stand on their hind legs to sunbathe.
"They warm their bodies in the morning by standing up.
"They're also very nosy and like to look out over their neighbours the alpacas and emus and climb up high on to the heaters to spot them."
The farm is open seven days a week from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday and 9am to 5pm, on Sundays. Entry costs £4.50 for over 5s, £3.50 for under 5s and £1 for babies under 12 months.
