A baby goat has been born against the odds to a mother left in a terrible state of neglect.

Kid Jenny was born last week at Sussex Horse Rescue in Uckfield and, to the surprise of staff, has survived and is doing well.

When her mother, which staff have named Julie, was brought into the centre she was malnourished and her feet were so painful she was walking on her knees.

A vet did not believe she was pregnant so it came as a shock when she gave birth.

Pauline Grant, of Sussex Horse Rescue, said: "We have been spending a lot of time with her. The vet said he didn't think she was in kid. Then she gave birth.

"We were a bit worried she might not survive.

"In their wild state, they have to get up and go, they have to be fit when they're born to survive.

"Now she is hopping about in the sun and she is really pretty and lovely."

Baby goats have to be debudded straight away so they do not grow horns.

Mrs Grant and her son have been rubbing special cream on to the mother's milk bags and trying to milk her in an attempt to nurse her back to health.