IT'S not so much the patter of tiny feet - more something of a stampede at a theme park enjoying a serious baby boom.

And the host of new arrivals keeping staff on their toes at the zoo in Flamingo Land, near Malton, North Yorkshire, includes a couple of major successes - an ostrich and a zebra.

For the first time in decades, a baby ostrich has been bred at the park and is expected to become a firm favourite with the visitors.

Zoo manager Andrew Melton said: "It is a big first for Flamingo Land, which we are really pleased about.

"They have kept ostriches here for 30 to 40 years but had never bred one.

"Most are bred by incubating the egg because they don't make very good parents, but we are happy as this will add to our African Plains exhibits."

The new addition, which will join the four ostriches - three female and one male - at the park, is not the only history maker.

A red lechwee antelope has also joined the ranks and is the first to be seen at Flamingo Land.

Further additions have come in the shape of baby penguins, bison, a nocturnal fat-tailed lemur, and a zebra called Ziggy.

Mr Melton added: "We are delighted with it and it's going to be a busy time for us."