AN animal lover from near Bromyard has been struggling to rein in his excitement over a new arrival.

Trevor Hill, who runs Animal Encounters, has bred a newly born reindeer for only the second time.

“Last year nothing happened but the year before we bred our first,” said Mr Hill, who lives in Stoke Bliss. “They are difficult to breed. With first time mothers there are nothing but problems but this time the mum is doing fine because she had a youngster a few years ago.”

The young calf has yet to be named but is progressing well.

“He's been doing brilliantly and has been bouncing around like a spring lamb,” said Mr Hill.

Animal Encounters is based near Bromyard and supplies animals to a range of events.