WORKERS at Odds Farm Park in Wooburn Common got a big surprise last week when they realised their Exmoor pony had a new arrival.

The farm, in Wooburn Common Road, made the discovery around 2am on Thursday morning when they realised that pony Beauty had an extra body beside her in the stables.

She had in fact given birth over night and delivered the little foal purely by herself.

"She's doing absolutely fantastic," said livestock manager Clare Middleton.

"We haven't named it yet because we haven't got near enough to find out what sex it is."

Beauty, who was born in 1993, has been at the farm for the best part of ten years and this was her fourth foal.

Schoolchildren visiting the farm on Thursday got a glimpse of the new arrival, but Beauty ensured some mystery remained about the foal's identity by shielding it from the onlookers.

Beauty was sent away for breeding months ago, and it is regarded as common for ponies to deliver their foals independently.

The farm is looking to name the foal once Beauty becomes less protective.