CHRISTMAS may be a barely-fading memory, but one North-East farm is already full of the joys of spring, having welcomed its first newborn lamb of the year.

Dory the Texel lamb was born at New Sundial Farm, in Bishopton, between Stockton and Darlington, late on Friday night.

Susan Mackay, from the farm, said the new arrival is "most unusual", as the first lambs were not expected to put in an appearance until February, at the start of the traditional lambing season.

The ewe that gave birth on Saturday morning was expecting twins, but one sadly did not survive.

Terrilee Hope, who helps with lambing at the farm, said one of the ewes is expecting quads, which is also unusual.

Friday's lamb was named Dory after the forgetful regal blue tang fish who charmed audiences in the Pixar film Finding Nemo.

A sequel, Finding Dory, is due out next year.