IT was not quite an immaculate conception, but the birth of a pair of lambs at Mainsgill Farm Shop well ahead of lambing season is being described as a miracle.
Owner of the A66 tearoom and farmshop Andrew Henshaw and his son, Jack, were surprised when checking up on their 500 strong flock to find their solitary Poll Dorset ewe had given birth.
It is the third year on the trot that Polly the ewe has given birth three months ahead of lambing season.
Mr Henshaw said: “She lambed herself. We just went down in the afternoon and there they were.” They believe Polly jumps the fence to visit nearby Barney, a Texel tup, during the summer. Polly is the only Poll Dorset sheep in the flock made up of Texels.
Mr Henshaw said: “We bought some from the market and she was in the batch that arrived.”