THE old adage of never working with animals has proved only too true for a school headmistress.

Bambi the goat was clearly not impressed with her visit to Villa Real School in Consett, last Friday.

The ten-year-old left no one in doubt of what she thought of the harvest festival celebrations, by leaving first a liquid present - then a very smelly one - on the school hall floor.

Teacher Pauline James said: "She weed and pood as soon as she came in.

"The kids thought it was hilarious. They were rolling around on the floor."

Head teacher Fiona Wood had to turn cleaner to salvage the situation.

Bambi belongs to Judy Sunter, chairman of the school governors, who brought her in to launch Villa Real's involvement in the Farm Africa charity's, Grow a Goat Appeal.

The charity asks schools to raise enough cash to buy a goat for a deprived family in Africa, to help make them self sufficient.

Villa Real School provides a learning environment for pupils with severe learning difficulties and autistic spectrum disorders.

Ms James, religious education co-ordinator, who organised the harvest festival celebrations, said: "Some of our kids cannot recognise an animal from a picture.

"It is far better for them if they can actually see it in the flesh, it gives them practical experience.

"Of course the kids absolutely loved it. We just hope we are not asked to grow a bigger animal next year," she added.