Lambs born on New Year's Day at Forest-in-Teesdale, in Upper Teesdale,

A ewe belonging to Michael Radford and Emma Robinson, who run East Under Hurth Farm, at Forest-in-Teesdale, in Upper Teesdale, gave birth to triplets during the early hours of yesterday.

Sadly, one of the lambs was stillborn, but Mr Radford said the surviving twins were thriving.

The couple, who also run East Under Hurth Farm bed and breakfast, are handfeeding the lambs while the mother recovers.

Mr Radford said it had been a pleasant surprise, and was the earliest ever delivery of lambs at the farm.

“They were due any time from next Tuesday, but we were not expecting them until a bit later,” he said.

“It was a bit of a shock.”