Lambs hit farmer for six

Farmer John Conde, of The Mount, Wretnall near Pulverbatch, said he thought it must be a record number of lambs born to one ewe.

And one Shropshire 10-year-old also has her hands full during the holidays looking after no less than eight lambs which were rejected by their mothers.

Charlotte Wood has been feeding and cleaning eight lambs whose mothers either died giving birth or rejected them.

Charlotte, from Cheswardine, has been helping raise the two and three-week old lambs at her grandparents smallholding in Rosehill, near Market Drayton.

Earlier this year, the Shropshire Star reported the unusual birth of five lambs but now that figure has been topped by the Conde family.

Mr Conde, who runs the farm with his father Robin and two brothers Barry and Perry, said it was also very special because all the lambs were male and they had all survived.

He said that after a scan they were prepared for four lambs - already double the normal delivery of twins - but certainly not six.

He said: "I was surprised when six came out. It's unusual. We have had five before but never six and to have them all alive is exceptional.

"We are all very pleased. It's lovely for Easter and spring.

"They are quite a bit of work. We have to do supplement feeding and we will foster at least three out to other ewes.

"The ewe is doing fine but she will end up with three left with her."

With 1,200 sheep on the farm, Mr Conde said there were too many to name.

He said: "If we started naming them all, it would take a while. The lambs will be with us for about 12 months but they will all go because they are all male.

"The children are there all the time helping us out as much as they can and at the moment they are off for the Easter Holiday. They are pleased to see six lambs and they have been feeding them and looking after them.

"We have been with them through the night and are there most of the time. We have the lambing season in January and April."

By Rebecca Lawrence and Andrew Rogers