Ref. 28108-19AN organic dairy farm will be transformed into magical Middle Eastern getaway for the party season.

Hundreds of Swindon employees will be enjoying their office parties at Redlands Farm, near Wanborough, this Christmas, but will be filled with thoughts of sand and Ali Baba rather than cowpats and straw.

Sarah and Joe Smith, who have run the farm for ten years, are hiring their land to party organisers who have decked out marquees with an Arabian Nights theme.

But, while the party season is a time of fun, the Smiths say they have to use the land for parties to boost their income, as farming no longer brings in enough money to survive comfortably.

The couple are expecting up to 700 guests a night, many of them in business parties, from tonight until December 20.

Organisers are promising guests a three-course, silver service dinner under a star-lit ceiling with atmospheric lighting, bars, a disco, belly dancers, a magic carpet ride, dodgems and a camel rodeo.

Firms, including Zurich Financial Services, Honda and Threadneedle Investments, have made large bookings.

It is not the first time Sarah and Joe, both 36, have looked at novel ways of supplementing the income from their 70-strong dairy herd.

The couple, who live at Redlands with their three children, also offer microlight flying and skydiving on the farm and, in the summer, the cows graze alongside runways.

"With farm incomes declining over the past five to six years we have had to look for ways to boost our income from other sources," said Sarah.

"We wouldn't survive on the farming income alone so we're always looking for ideas."

The Government is encouraging farms to diversify and find other uses for agricultural land and the Smiths received a grant from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' to help them with their airfield project.

This is the second year the couple have hosted Christmas parties.

Last year's Wild West-style event was such a success the couple had little hesitation about doing it again.

Organisers have employed local people to set up the marquees, electricians for the lights, caterers and even carpet fitters.

There will be 14 staff on site at any one time.

Tickets, ranging from £25 to just under £40, are still available.

For more information telephone 0870 100 4040.