Last updated 20:05, Thursday, 18 September 2008

THERE is a very special new addition to the Lakeland Heavy Horse Centre at Dearham.

RARE BREED: Dearham Heavy Horse Centre stable girl Sarah Richardson gets to know new Suffolk Punch foal Rose and proud mother Blossom

Rose is a three-week-old Suffolk Punch filly born to mother Blossom.

There are fewer than 400 purebreds left in Britain and the heavy horse centre has eight of them, including the latest arrival.

Mother and foal were bought by centre owner John Ashcroft who has loved the breed since he saw a photograph of one when he was 10 years old.

He said: “I was just lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. Rose is a good strong horse and she is doing well.”

The centre gives people the chance to interact with the horses.

Mr Ashcroft opened the centre at his Dearham farm after being told by doctors that he had to retire from farming because of back problems.

The Suffolk is the oldest breed of heavy horse in Great Britain. The breed dates from the 16th century and all animals alive today trace their male lines back to one stallion which was foaled in 1768.