A HALLOWEEN treat came the way of a Cartmel Fell farming family when twin black lambs were born.

The Smiths, of Oaks Farm, were amazed when their young Jacob ewe Elsa had her first babies – at totally the wrong time of year!

They have been named Black and Magic and are settling in well.

Helen Smith said: “It was a real surprise, and for them to both be black on Halloween was a bit spooky.

"They would normally mate in late September to early December, but we think she must have conceived in June time.

“Even the vet was surprised. We don’t really know who the dad is!”

South Lakeland vet Iain Richards said lambs born in autumn was rare, though not unheard of.

“It is unusual for a ewe to give birth when most of the sheep round here are just being put to the ram.”