THERE was a special surprise for 10-year-old Danielle Holmes on Christmas Day - twin gimmer lambs.

Danielle, from Cononley, has a small flock of Dorset Horns and wasn't aware her ewe was pregnant. She told the Herald she was thinking of calling the twins Holly and Ivy.

Mother, Adrienne, said the lambs were a nice surprise but served as a warning to other farmers.

Due to the movement restrictions imposed by the foot and mouth crisis, rams have been allowed to roam with the ewes - leading to some unplanned births. Consequently the ewes had not received the correct supplements or treatment while in lamb.

Danielle's flock has delivered two more lambs since Christmas Day.