TWIN rare breed Black Arabian filly foals have been born at a South Lakeland farm.

The fillies called Nera Stella (Black Star) and Piccola Notte (Little Night) were an unexpected surprise for owner Helen Wilson, of Oakthwaite Arabians, Selside.

After the first filly was born Helen thought the mare, Zara, was going to haemorrhage.

She said: “I had just moved away the first filly and to my complete amazement I saw another foot and head.

“I thought at first I was seeing things because I was so tired.

“Black Arabian horses are hard enough to breed but I have never heard of them being born as twins.

"Horses don’t tend to have twins as the fatality rate is so high.”

Both fillies are doing well despite being born two weeks prematurely.

They are living at Ashstad Farm, Selside, where Mrs Wilson has been breeding Arabian horses for 20 years.

“The younger filly has to be bottle fed as she is too small to reach her mother,” said Helen.

Paul Hibbon, from the Westmorland Veterinary Group, Kendal, arrived just after the births, and said: “It was enjoyable to see them being born as it is very unusual for horses to have twins and Black Arabian horses are rare as it is.”