STAFF at the Exmoor Pony Centre discovered a surprise new addition when they checked the stock this week.

Winnie, a five-year old who arrived in a consignment from Brendon Fair last autumn, had given birth to a filly.

And the new foal, who arrived on bank holiday Monday, has been given pride of place at the centre near Winsford Hill, which is the headquarters of the Moorland Mousie Trust.

Founder Val Sherwin said Winnie was a very special resident, having arrived with a badly damaged eye which will have to be removed.

"Because she had come off the moor, we knew that there was a chance she might be pregnant so we needed to wait until she had given birth," said Val.

"Considering that she was born on the moor and had not been in a domestic situation before, she has settled in remarkably well and is a real favourite with us all.

"She has a wonderfully kind nature and we shall be very relieved once her eye has been dealt with and she can concentrate on her new family."

Winnie is not the first Exmoor pony at the centre with eye problems and staff are hoping that Winston - who had to have a similar operation about 18 months ago - might make an ideal adoptive father for the new foal.

"Winston is a real favourite at the centre," said Val. "He is the most popular with visitors of our adoption ponies and has lots of fans.

"He's also good friends with Winnie, so we're hoping he'll make a good surrogate father for the foal.

"It's quite amusing to see them together. They have opposite eyes, so between them they've got one good pair!"

The Moorland Mousie Trust, a national charity, was set up to promote and preserve the Exmoor pony, a rare breed.

There are currently around 2,000 Exmoor ponies worldwide. Between 175 and 200 foals are born every year - around 100 in the Exmoor area.

The charity takes in surplus foals and stock in the autumn and uses 'horse whispering' techniques to domesticate them, before re-homing.

The centre, which opened in 2006, is open from Sunday to Friday and welcomes visitors, although riding sessions need to be booked in advance.

More information is available on 01398 323093.